RlJJJNG 


AND "Book 


Alls  riN  li  JOLLY.  D,  D, 


-    -  r-9 

BX  9190  .J6  1908 

Jolly,  Austin  H. 

Ruling  elders'  hand-book 


RULING  ELDERS' 
HAND-BOOK, 


Specially  Prepared  for  the  Ruling  Elders  of  the 

Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States 

of  America, 

BY 

REV.  AUSTIN  H.  JOLLY.  D.  D., 

President  Presbyterian  College  of  Florida. 


REVISED  EDITION. 


PITTSBURGH,  PA. 

PRESBYTERIAN  BOOK  STORE, 

1908. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the 
year  1896,  by  Austin  H.  Jolly,  in  the 
office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at 
Washington. 


CONTENTS, 


PART  I. 

Qualifications  and  Duties  of  Ruling  Elders. 

Page- 

Introduction 5 

Chapter. 

I.    The  Office  of  Ruling  Elder.... 7 

II.    Qualitications  for  the  Office 11 

III.  The  Elder  a  Man 14 

IV.  Elder  and  Pastor .' 17 

V.     Among  the  People 21 

VI.  In  the  Sabbath  School 24 

VIL  Alone  with  God 27 

VIII.  Public  Prayer 30 

IX.  Public  Worship 35 

X.  Reception  of  Members 38 

XI.  Discipline 42 

XII.  The  Communion  Table 45 

XIII.  Representative  Character 47 

XIV.  In  the  Higher  Courts 51 


PART  II. 

Presbyterian  Law  and  Usage. 

Introductory 53 

I.     Meetings  of  the  Session 54 

II.     Meetings  of  the  Congregation 62 

III.  Meetings  of  Societies,  Trustees,  etc B7 

IV.  Rotary  Eldership 70 


Contents — Continued. 

;hapter.                                                                                                      p^gK. 
V,     Sessional  Records 72 

1 .  Ordinary  Business 72 

2.  In  Electing  Elders 73 

3.  Introduction  of  Xew  Eldei-s 74 

4.  Supply  of  the  Pulpit 75 

5.  Election  of  a  Pastor 76 

6.  Installation  of  a  Pastor 76 

VI.     Forms  : : 7S 

1.  For  the  Government  of  a  Congregation 78 

2.  For  the  Government  of  a  Sabbath  School 80 


PART  III. 

Helps  in  the  Pastoral  Duties  of  the  Ruling  Elder. 

Introductory • 83 

Scripture  Lrssoxs  for  Use  ix  Family  Visitation, 

I.     Duties  of  Parents 84 

II.     Where  there  are  Small  Children 86 

III,  For  the  Unconverted 89 

IV.  For  Worldly  Christians 92 

V.     To  Confirm  Believers 95 

VI.  For  Inquirers 98 

VII.  To  Encourage  Believers  in  Holy  Li^ing 101 

VIII.  For  the  Sick  Room [ 104 

IX.  For  the  Bereaved 113 

X.  Bin-ial  Service 117 

XI.  Topics  for  Various  Occasions 124 


PREFACE  TO  REVISED  EDITION. 


At  the  earnest  and  persistent  request  of  the  pub- 
Hshers  I  am  giving  to  the  Ruling  Elders  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  a  new  edition  of  this  little  book. 

It  has  been  in  your  hands  ten  years  and  deserves 
more  revision  than  I  am  able  to  give  it  at  the 
present  time.  However,  the  sacred  duties  of  your 
ollice  do  not  change  and  the  methods  of  administering 
your  ofiice  has  not  been  materially  modified  by  any 
recent  clianges  in  our  church  laws. 

The  basic  principles  of  our  Church  Government 
remain  unchanged,  and  it  is  with  these  w^e  have  to 
do  especially. 

To  the  whole  body  of  Elders  in  our  church  and 
especially  to  that  splendid  accession  to  the  Eldership 
through  the  Reunion  I  offer  this  little  help  in  the 
service  you  may  render  to  the  Master  and  to  his 
Church. 

EusTis,  Florida, 

May,  1908. 
AUSTIN  H.  JOLLY. 


INTRODUCTION 


Exegetes  may  dispute  as  to  the  teaching  of  the 
Scriptures  on  the  orders  of  the  clergy  and  on  the  dual 
eldersliip  ;  the  teaching  and  ruling.  Historians  may 
differ  as  to  the  origin  and  development  of  the  systems 
of  ecclesiastical  government,  which  are  now  current  in 
the  church.  But  no  reasonal^le  man  will  deny,  that 
when  a  given  system  of  government  has  heen  adopted 
hy  an  ecclesiastical  body,  it  will  be  best  for  that  body 
if  its  officers  are  thoroughly  fitted  by  nature,  education 
and  grace  for  the  discharge  of  their  duties.  Elders,  if 
there  be  elders,  should  know  what  their  functions  are 
and  how  to  fulfill  them,  so  as  to  satisfy  themselves, 
their  brethren  and  the  Lord.  ^'Das  versteht  sich," 
as  the  Germans  say.  And  yet,  it  is  a  noticeable  fact, 
that  up  to  the  present,  no  text  book,  no  vade-mecum, 
or  book  of  ready  reference,  for  the  use  of  the  eldership 
of  our  church  has  appeared. 

Dr.  Samuel  Miller's  book  "On  Ruling  Elders"  is 
antiquated  ;  and  besides,  it  is  theoretical  and  vindica- 
tory rather  than  practical.  That  excellent  and  indis- 
pensable work,  "The  Presbyterian  Digest,"  is  too 
expensive  and  too  general  in  its  scope  and  contents  for 
extended  or  effective  use  by  the  eldership.  It  contains 
much  which  would  be  of  little  use  at  any  time  and 
omits  much,  as  outside  of  its  purpose  as  a  digest  of 
law,  which  would  be  of  great  use  at  all  times  to  a  con- 
scientious man,  desirous  of  filling  his  office,  but  often 
ignorant  of  what  may  be  expected  or  demanded  of  him. 
That  comprehensive  and  unexcelled  manual,    "What 


Introduction — Continued. 

is  Presbyterian  Law,"  was  not  designed  especially 
for  elders,  and  hence  there  is  found  in  it  much  which 
the  vast  majority  of  our  elders-  would  never  need  in 
their  experience  as  officers  of  the  church  ;  and  there 
are  lacking  many  things,  as  irrelevant  to  the  intent  of 
the  work,  which  would  be  of  use  to  all  members  of  the 
session  and  materially  assist  them  in  ruling,  comforting 
and  building  up  the  church. 

Now  it  is  the  design  of  this  little  manual  to  teach  the 
rvding  elder  what  he  ought  to  be,  what  he  ought  to  do 
and  how  he  ought  to  do  it. 

It  might  be  called  Pastoral  Theology  for  Elders,  or 
to  adopt  a  Greek  adjective,  Presbyteric  Theology.  As 
Pastoral  Theology  shows  ministers  of  the  Gospel  what 
they  ought  to  be  as  men  and  as  pastors,  presbyters  and 
preachers  :  so  this  teaches  elders  what  their  duties  and 
privileges  in  these  directions  are.  We  think  that  such 
a  book  is  a  desideratum,  and  we  hope  and  believe  that 
the  following  attempt  of  the  Eev.  A.  H.  Jolly  will  meet 
this  want  and  supply  this  need.  Therefore  we  wish  it 
Godspeed. 

R.   T).  AVILSON, 

Western  Theological  Seminary. 

Allegheny,  Pa. 


PART    I. 

Qualifications  and  Duties  of   Ruling 
Elders. 


CHAPTER  I. 


THE   OFFICE   OF   KULING   ELDER. 

Presbyterianism,  so  far  as  the  government  of  thechurch 
is  concerned,  rests  upon  three  fundamental  principles 
which  are  found  in  the  Word  of  God  and  were  evidently 
applied  in  the  early  church.  They  are,  '' the  parity  of 
the  ministry, "  ' '  government  by  elders  or  presbyters, " 
and  ' '  the  unity  of  the  church. ' '  The  central  and  basal 
idea  of  our  system  is  in  the  g-overnment  of  the  church. 
In  this  there  is  an  equality  of  the  bishop  and  the  elder, 
or  the  ' '  teaching  elder ' '  and  the  '  'ruling  elder, ' '  as 
they  are  sometimes  designated.  In  all  the  higher  courts 
of  the  church  this  equality  in  government  is  recognized 
and  exercised.  An  equal  number  of  ministers  and  elders 
sit  together  and  deliberate  on  all  questions  before  them, 
and  the  influence  of  the  ruling  elder  is  felt  in  all  the 
business  of  the  church. 

The  individual  congregation  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  is  modeled  after  the  form  of  the  ancient  Jewish 
synagogue.  All  the  essential  features  of  that  organiza- 
tion were  transferred,  as  w^  believe,  to  the  Christian 
Church.  No  particular  attempt  was  made  to  prove  di- 
vine authority,  yet  from  apostolic  use  we  are  justified 
in  assuming  that  this  form  of  government  is  at  least  di- 

7 


8  Ruling  Elders^  Hand-hook, 

vinely  sanctioned.  At  first  there  was  no  very  clear  dis- 
tinction made  between  the  office  of  bishop  and  that  of 
the  elder,  but  as  there  are  numerous  indirect  references 
to  this  in  the  New  Testament  there  seems  to  be  suth- 
cient  authority  for  the  wider  separation  of  the  two 
offices  as  the  church  became  more  thoroughly  organized. 
The  main  distinction  between  the  two  offices  has  for 
centuries  been  that  the  bishop  is  si)ecially  called  to 
teach  while  the  elder  is  called  to  rule.  LcuAdiig  to  others 
the  work  of  deffiiing  the  relation  of  "bishop"  and 
"  elder,"  we  propose  to  deal  rather  with  the  office  and 
work  of  the  "  ruling  elder"  as  Ave  ffiid  it  in  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  to-day.  But  in  so  doing  the  divine  au- 
thority for  the  office  is  not  questioned.  We  believe  that 
if  every  elder  were  to  feel  the  responsibility  and  dignity 
of  his  office,  and  that  his  ordination  is  divinely  author- 
ized, it  would  add  efficiency  to  all  his  work. 

A  Presbyterian  church  is  not  complete  in  its  organi- 
zation without  ruling  elders.  It  is  not  prepared  to  ex- 
ercise all  its  functions  as  a  church  until  they  as  the  repre- 
sentatives of  the  people  are  duly  ordained  and  installed. 
These  elders,  thus  set  apart,  have  authority  in  all  mat- 
ters pertaining  to  the  spiritual  affairs  of  the  congrega- 
tion. They  are  duly  authorized  to  receive  and  dismiss 
members  and  to  exercise  discipline.  Being  chosen  from 
among  the  people,  they  are  in  a  peculiar  sense  the 
' '  representatives  of  the  people, ' '  so  that  in  them  the 
right  of  self-government  is  guaranteed  to  each  congre- 
gation. It  is  the  glory  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  that 
its  government,  like  that  of  our  nation,  is  ''of  tlie  peo- 
ple, by  the  people,  and  for  the  j)eople. ' '     This  form  of 


Ridimj   Kldcrs     Hand-booh:  0 

government  eonserves  the  rights  of  each  congregation 
while  it  ])laces  over  tliese  our  "Courts  of  Review  and 
Control,"  which  mamtam  the  purity  of  the  church  and 
its  doctrines.  What  a  privilege  to  be  a  divinely  com- 
missioned oflicer  in  such  an  army  !  In  every  congrega- 
tion the  ciders  stand  with  authority  second  to  none.  In 
the  i)resl)yterv  and  synod,  and  even  in  the  General  As- 
sembly, they  hold  half  the  seats,  and  upon  their  votes 
depends  every  decision.  While  there  are  in  connection 
with  our  church  less  than  seven  thousand  ministers, 
there  are  twenty-seven  thousand  elders.  These,  more 
than  equal  to  our  national  standing  army,  not 
quartered  in  a  few  central  garrisons,  but  in  seven  thou- 
sand groups  upon  the  open  field  of  the  w^orld,  are  rally- 
ing an  army  now  numbering  a  million  to  its  conquest. 
What  may  they  not  accomplish  with  the  blessing  of  the 
Lord  !  What  unlimited  possibilities  are  before  these, 
who  with  the  enduring  w^ord  as  their  guide,  "  watch  for 
souls  as  those  who  must  give  an  account ! ' ' 

The  principal  work  of  the  elder  is  in  the  church 
where  he  has  been  called  to  rule.  Only  occasionally  is 
he  appointed  to  represent  the  people  in  the  higher  courts 
of  the  church,  and  even  then  his  influence  may  not  be 
perceptible.  But  among  the  people  who  have  called 
him  to  this  sacred  office,  meeting  them  in  the  house  of 
God  and  in  their  own  homes,  in  business  relations,  in 
times  of  affliction,  is  his  most  important  work.  There 
may  be  with  some  elders  an  ambition  to  be  often  in  the 
higher  courts  of  the  church  and  to  take  a  part  in  the 
administration  of  its  affairs,  but  faithful  service  in 
this   apparently   narrower    sphere  will   bring    greater 


10  Riding  Eldevti'   Hand-book. 

honor  to  the  name  of  the  Lord.  Elders  are  not  ex- 
pected to  know  all  about  ecclesiasticar  law  nor  are  they 
always  faniihar  with  the  history  and  doctrines  of  the 
church  and  the  manner  of  their  def.ense.  They  are 
often  unskilled  in  Bible  learning,  as  were  the  fishermen 
of  Galilee  ;  their  attainments  in  literature  may  be  lim- 
ited ;  they  may  not  be  ready  with  tongu^or  pen  ;  but 
in  the  faith  of  the  Son  of  God  and  in  fitness  for  guiding 
souls  in  the  way  of  eternal  life  there  must  be  no  lack. 
The  Word  of  God  must  be  their  companion  and  guide. 
This  one  book  must  not  be  neglected. 

There  should  also  be  those  natural  qualities  of  true 
manhood,  prudence,  kindness,  uprightness,  sympathy, 
wisdom  and  discretion  which  are  necessary  to  make 
them  efficient  in  the  leadership  of  the  church  and  in 
winning  the  confidence  of  those  who  are  without. 

Let  every  elder  magnify  his  office.  Let  him  feel  that 
a  divine  sanction  is  upon  the  office  and  the  divine  bless- 
ing upon  his  work.  Let  none  ' '  lord  it  over  God' s  herit- 
age," but  in  meekness  and  faith  exercise  those  gifts 
which  God  has  given.  Seek  by  earnest  effort  and  a  liv- 
ing devotion  to  glorify  God  in  every  j)lan  or  effort,  and 
to  lead  his  church  to  wider  fields  of  usefulness  and  to 
richer  experiences  of  his  grace. 


CUAlTKli   11. 

QUALIFICATIONS    FOR    THE   OFFICE. 

This  is  a  "spiritual  office."  Its  aim  is  not  the  care 
of  church  property;  not  to  provide  for  the  pastor's 
salary  or  the  contingent  expenses  of  the  church.  It  is 
an  element  of  strength  in  our  system  that  the  financial 
affairs  of  the  church  are  committed  to  other  hands. 
Elders  are  the  divinely  appointed  channels  of  spiritual 
hlessing  upon  God's  people,  and  upon  those  whom  hg 
may  call  into  his  kingdom.  This  sacred  office  has  its 
highest  and  only  function  in  thoughts  for  that  life 
which  is  more  than  meat.  Invested  with  divine 
authority,  called  by  his  brethren,  among  whom  he  moves 
as  a  leader  and  guide,  having  access  to  their  homes  and 
being  cognizant  of  their  temporal  and  spiritual  needs, 
and  knowing  their  peculiar  temptations  and  trials,  he 
stands  in  such  a  position  as  to  be  often  helpful  as 
counsellor  and  friend.  In  this  office  the  princi2)al  bus- 
iness is  not  to  rule.  It  is  rather  to  love  and  to  feed,  to 
cherish  and  to  guard,  so  that  the  exercise  of  the 
authority  of  the  office  by  calling  offenders  to  account 
may  not  be  necessary.  The  zeal  and  faith  and 
patience  which  humbly  labors  to  keep  a  wayward  one 
within  the  pale  of  the  church  is,  to  my  mind,  a  better 
grace  than  that  which  is  exercised,  too  hastily  some- 
times, in  the  discipline  of  offending  members. 

The  qualities  of  head  and  of  heart  essential  in  bearing 
the  responsibilities  of  this  office  are  by  no  means 
trifling.       We   may  briefly  mention    some  of  them. 

11 


12  Ruling  Elders''  Hand-book. 

The  first  essential  is  an  undoubted  Christian  char- 
acter. The  man  who  leads  souls  in  the  way  of  life 
must  be  a  man  of  God.  To  teach  faith  he  must  have 
faith;  to  lead  others  to  love  Jesus  he  must  love  him 
first.  It  is  not  necessary  that  he  be  a  man  of  wealth, 
of  learning,  of  high  social  standing,  but  it  is  absolute- 
ly necessary  that  he  be  a  man  whose  life,  hid  with 
Christ  in  God,  bears  testimony  daily  to  the  truth. 
What  God  requires  of  those  who  preach  he  requires 
also  of  those  who  rule.  A  high  standard  of  Christian 
dharacter,  a  deep  piety,  a  heart  filled  with  zeal  for 
God  are  the  first  requisites  of  this  sacred  office. 

Doctrinal  soundness  is  important.  By  this  I  mean 
a  strict  adherence  to  the  doctrines  of  the  Bible  in  gen- 
eral, and  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  particular. 
Whether  it  be  a  part  of  this  office  to  teach  or  not,  the 
people  expect  it  of  them.  The  words  of  the  elder  have 
more  w.eight  because  of  his  office.  He  may  not  be 
skilled  in  all  the  doctrinal  questions  of  the  church,  but 
he  is  at  least  to  sincerely  adopt  ' '  The  Confession  of  Faith 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church, ' '  and  this  he  cannot  do  in 
any  proper  sense  until  he  has  acquainted  himself  with 
it  and  with  a  clear  conscience  approved  its  teachings'. 

Denominational  loyalty  is  important.  Not  mere 
devotion  to  one  church,  but  that  spirit  of  loyalty  to  his 
denomination  which  will  prompt  him  to  say  with  pride, 
' '  I  am  an  elder  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America. ' '  He  thus  comes  to  feel  the  impor- 
tance of  his  office,  whether  he  sits  with  his  brethren  in  the 
session,  or  with  the  chosen  leaders  of  the  church  in  its 
higher  courts.     Loyalty  to  the  doctrines  and  govern- 


Jiii/iiKj    J'^l(l(.s'    Iland-lnxiL.  13 

mont  of  the  cIiurIi,  to  lier  policy,  to  licr  boards,  to  her 
missions,  to  her  schools,  to  her  history,  every  page  of 
which  is  a  record  of  struggles  for  truth  and  for  liberty, 
are  all  essential  to  the  elder's  efficiency.  With  this 
army  of  loyal  leaders  our  grand  old  church,  with  its 
historic  doctrines  and  aggressive  agencies  and  efficient 
government,  will  not  halt  in  the  conquest  of  the  world. 
With  these  twenty-seven  thousand  leaders  to  fling  our 
blue  banner  to  the  breeze,  followed  by  marshaling 
hosts  that  will  soon  nunil)er  a  round  million,  we  will 
hurl  to  the  earth  many  an  opposing  Jericho.  We  will 
gather  under  the  standard  of  King  Immanuel  multi- 
tudes who  will  be  impressed  by  a  strong,  heroic,  loyal. 
Christian  manhood. 

Earnestness,  prudence,  syivipathy,  gentleness, 
FIRMNESS,  cheerfulness  are  important  characteristics 
of  the  one  who  w^oiild  use  this  office  well.  He  should 
be  a  well  rounded,  godly  man,  full  of  faith  and  of 
good  works,  instant  ''in  season,  out  of  season,"  in  the 
discharge  of  duty.  He  should  l)e  alert  to  the  spiritual 
interest. of  those  about  him.  He  should  be  awake  to 
the  pressing  need  of  the  time  in  which  he  lives.  He 
should  be  ready  to  every  good  work,  prayerfully 
watching  the  "bulwarks  and  towers  of  Zion,"  lament- 
ing her  low  estate  or  rejoicing  in  her  prosperity.  He 
must  be  a  leader,  but  must  be  led  himself  by  one  who 
is  able  to  make  all  grace  abound  in  his  servants,  from 
whom  Cometh  that  wisdom  which  is  ' '  first  pure,  then 
peaceable,  gentle  and  easy  to  be  entreated,  full  of 
mercy  and  good  fruits,  without  partiality  and  without 
hypocrisy. " 


CHAPTER  III. 

THE    ELDER    A    MAX. 

if  the  elder  is  a  rej^resentative  of  the  people,  he  is 
also  a  representative  to  the  people.  His  work  is  half 
in  deeds,  half  in  example.  An  elder  must  be  one  that 
"ruleth  well  his  own  house,  having  his  children  in 
subjection  with  all  gravity,  for  if  a  man  know  not  how 
to  rule  his  own  house,  how  shall  he  take  care  of  the 
church  of  God?"  It  devolves  upon  the  ruling  elder 
to  set  such  an  example  to  all  the  flock  as  shall  show 
that  the  true  spirit  of  religion  rules  in  his  own  home. 
*'  The  church  in  the  house"  was  set  up  first ;  it  must 
be  maintained.  There  must  be  both  family  govern- 
ment and  family  religion,  both  for  the  good  of  those 
who  dwell  there,  and  for  those  who  are  directly  or 
indirectly  influenced  by  the  elder's  home. 

It  is  a  sad  fact,  that  in  these  days  of  rapid  transit, 
and  of  the  mad  rush  of  business,  the  home  life, 
and  especially  the  home  altar,  are  so  neglected.  In 
the  morning  the  hurry  to  catch  the  train,  and  to  get  to 
the  oflice,  and  in  the  evening  the  demands  of  society 
shut  religion  out.  The  home  life  centers  at  the  hasty 
breakfast  and  the  evening  meal.  There  seems  to  be  no 
time  left  for  cultivating  the  spiritual  life  of  the  family 
itself.  There  is  a  grave  responsibility  resting  upon  the 
leaders  in  Israel  to  stem  this  tide  of  worldliness.  Not 
only  for  our  own  sakes  and  for  the  sake  of  our  families, 
'but  for  our  influence  upon  others,  we  should  adopt 
King  Da^dd's  resolution  :  "I  will  behave  myself  wisely, 
I  will  walk  within  my  house  with  a  perfect  heart." 

14 


Ralintj  Kltlcr.s'   lldiid-bouh.  15 

The  home  of  the  elder  slioukl  ])e  hospitable.  It 
slioiild  he  an  example  of  generous,  religious  cordiality 
to  all  who  come.  It  need  not  l)e  elegant,  its  appoint- 
ments may  he  very  plain,  its  tal)le  spread  only  with  a 
iVugal  meal ;  but  whatever  the  condition,  it  should  be 
a  place  where  the  ^bister  is  made  known  in  ''the 
l)reaking  of  bread."  The  elder,  in  dispensing  hospi- 
tality, should  endeavor  to  make  his  home  a  center  of 
religious  influence,  and  with  this  in  view,  should  open 
it  to  the  social  joys  of  young  people.  There  is  a  cold- 
ness, a  stiffness  which  repels,  a  sanctimoni<jusness 
which  loses  influence.  And  there  is  a  genial  manner, 
a  cordial  spirit,  which,  while  it  frowns  upon  sin  enters 
heartily  into  the  joys  of  youth,  and  adds  a  charm  to 
the  Cliristian  life  and  profession.  There  are  recrea- 
tions and  youthful  sports  in  which  a  dignified  elder 
may  join,  and  in  so  doing  exert  a  good  influence.  But 
we  must  disci'iminate.  The  home  of  the  elder  should 
be  absolutely  free  from  every  amusement  that  is  doul)t- 
ful.  If  tlie  elder  smiles  upon  the  social  glass  or  the 
dance,  the  whole  community  will  accept  his  endorse- 
ment, and  })lunge  into  excesses  which  he  would  not 
encourage.  Be  careful  not  to  encourage  a  spirit  of 
worldliness,  by  giving  countenance  to  that  which  tends 
to  worldliness.  It  may  not  be  necessary  to  cry  out 
often  against  questionable  amusements,  but  your  own 
home  cannot  be  made  a  place  for  their  encouragement, 
without  w^eakening  your  influence  as  a  ruler  in  the 
house  of  God.  The  sanctity  of  the  home  is  next  to 
that  of  the  house  of  God. . 


16  Ruling  Elders^  Hcvnd-hool\ 

The  religious  life  of  an  elder  is  also  closely  identified 
with  his  business  life.  His  influence  for  good  and  his 
usefulness  in  the  church  depend  largely  on  the  char- 
acter he  maintains  in  business.  Our  neighbors  know 
more  of  us  than  we  think,  and  their  judgment  of  us  is 
often  more  accurate  -Qian  we  desire  it  to  be.  The 
tenderest  appeal  made  in  the  sanctuary  may  be  nulHfied 
by  the  doubtful  business  transaction  of  the  office  or  the 
shop.  The  meanest  man  knows  well  what  a  Christian 
ought  to  be,  and  sets  a  high  standard  for  others  to  fol- 
low. Even  "our  enemies  being  judges,"  we  must 
stand  for  truth  and  righteousness.  That  was  a  sublime 
height  to  which  Job  attained  when  he  said,  ' '  Let  me 
be  weighed  in  an  even  balance,  that  God  may  know 
mine  integrity. ' '  I  would  recommend  the  careful  read- 
ing of  the  book  of  Job,  chapters  xxix,  xxx  and  xxxi, 
as  a  standard  for  prayerful  effort.  Aj^ply  the  same  ten 
commands,  and  the  same  Sermon  on  the  Mount,  to 
your  business  and  political  life,  and  to  your  household 
life,  that  3^ou  teach  in  the  house  of  God.   • 


CHAPTER  IV. 

p:lder  and  pastor. 

The  whole  work  of  a  Presbyterian  church  centers  in 
and  revolves  round  the  session.  Here  the  pastor  and 
tlie  elders  plan  together  for  the  good  of  the  church. 
The  interests  of  the  whole  congregation,  both  their 
spiritual  needs  and  their  assemblages  for  worship,  are 
considered.  It  is  most  important  that  there  be  cordial 
co-operation  and  consultation  between  pastor  and  el- 
ders, in  order  that  the  session  may  be  efficient.  The 
elder  is  to  l)e  the  pastor's  intimate  friend  and  confiden- 
tial adviser.  He  is  to  be  his  companion  in  visiting  the 
people,  his  associate  and  peer  in  the  meetings  of  the 
presbytery.  They  can  only  work  together  while  there 
is  a  cordial  companionship.  No  suspicious  or  half- 
hearted counsel  will  do.  There  must  be  whole-hearted 
and  earnest  sympathy. 

The  pastor  comes  into  the  community  a  stranger. 
His  first  acquaintances  are  of  necessity  the  officers  of 
the  church.  His  first  information,  good  or  bad,  con- 
cerning the  members  of  the  church,  comes  from  the 
elder.  Such  information  should,  be  most  prudently 
given.  Do  not  fill  the  mind  of  the  new  minister  y/ith 
every  unsavory  tradition  of  the  past.  He  has  to  deal 
with  the  present.  Do  not  keep  from  him  information 
that  would  aid  him  in  his  work.  Prudent  advice  just 
at  the  right  time,  given  not  in  the  spirit  of  the  tale- 
bearer, but  for  the  good  of  those  who  need  help,  will 
add  greatly  to  the  usefulness  of  a  pastor. 

17 


18  Ruling  Elders'    Hand-hook. 

There  should  be  a  feehng  of  iinphcit  confidence  be- 
tween the  elder  and  the  pastor,  so  that  on  all  occasions 
there  ma}^  be  the  fullest  expression  of  opinion,  without 
fear  that  confidence  will  be  betrayed  or  the  advice  mis- 
used or  misunderstood.  A  pastor  often  needs  the  ad- 
vice of  elders  in  matters  in  which  he  is  likely  to  err 
through  ignorance,  or  where  some  duty  may  have  been 
overlooked.  Do  not  wear}"  your  pastor  with  telling 
what  he  ought  to  do,  and  how  he  ought  to  treat  this  or 
that  one,  l)ut  an  occasional  hint  in  si^ecial  cases  will 
enable  him  to  act  wisely  and  to  reach  those  who  are  to 
be  reached  hy  some  special  method.  There  are  many 
queer  people,  and  we  must  be  queer  also  to  win  them. 
^'  I  became  all  things  to  all  men,  that  by  all  means  I 
might  save  some." 

For  a  more  2:)leasant  purpose  than  for  criticism  you 
may  visit  your  pastor  or  invite  him  to  3^our  house.  Do 
this  in  order  to  devise  plans  for  doing  good.  Partners 
in  l)usiness  consult  together  often  ;  you  are  a  spiritual 
partner  with  your  minister.  It  is  your  church  as  much 
as  his.  Just  as  clearly  is  it  your  duty  to  labor  for  the 
Master  as  it  is  jowv  pastor's  duty.  Put  your  heads  and 
hearts  together  and  devise  plans  of  usefulness  and  the 
best  methods  to  make  them  successful.  If  he  sets  on 
foot  some  plan  for  quickening  the  life  of  the  church, 
aiding  the  Sabbath  school  or  the  Young  People's  So- 
ciety, increasing  the  pi^yer  meeting,  or  reaching  the 
unconverted,  tlien  back  him  up  heartily.  You  may 
make  his  plan  succeed  or  fail.  Make  the  work  of  the 
pulpit  effective  by  your  aid.  Follow  up  the  invita- 
tions, appeals  and  counsels  of  the  pulpit  with  your  own 


RnUmj  FMlrr,^'   Hand-hook.  19 

efforts  fur  the  converyion  of  sinners.  The  pastor  is  try- 
ing to  draw  souls  to  Jesus  ;  do  not  draw  the  other  way. 
Draw  with  your  minister ;  follow  up  his  effort  with 
your  own.  Co-operate  with  Christ's  ambassador  in  the 
grandest  work  that  man  or  angel  can  covet — the  work 
of  saving  innnortal  souls.  Who  doubts  that  if  all  our 
elders  preached  Christ  as  faitlifully  in  practice  and  per- 
sonal effort  as  our  average  minister  does  in  the  pulpit, 
the  spiritual  droughts  would  give  place  to  glorious  har- 
vests. ''  As  ye  go,  preach,^ ^  is  a  conmiission  to  you  as 
well  as  to  your  pastor. 

The  elder  should  also  bear  in  mind  that  his  pastor  is 
a  man  "of  like  passions  with  himself."  He  some- 
times needs  sympathy.  He  has  his  sorrow^s,  his  dis- 
couragements, disappointments,  losses.  He  is  sepa- 
rated from  earthly  friends.  It  ma}"  l^e  that  he  has  left 
loved  ones  far  behind,  that  he  might  become  your  pas- 
tor. He  goes  amongst  the  j)eople  ministering  in"  the 
name  of  Christ  to  those  in  sorrow.  Many  a  burden  is 
half  borne  by  the  faithful  one  who,  in  the  spirit  of  the 
Master,  ''  weeps  with  those  who  weep. "  When  sorrow 
comes  to  him  where  shall  he  go  for  sympathy  ?  Whose 
tears  will  mingle  with  his  ?  Must  the  sympathizer  him- 
self weep  alone?  It  is  now  the  elder's  turn  to  minister 
in  the  name  of  Christ.  Go  to  his  home  when  burdens 
press  his  heart,  and  do  with  him  as  he  would  do  if  the 
sorrow  were  yours — kneel  with  him  in  prayer,  com- 
mend him  to  God  and  to  the  word  of  his  grace.  Do 
not  allow  him  to  feel  that  because  he  is  a  minister  he  is 
to  bear  his  burden  alone.  But  make  him  feel  that  those 
whose  burdens  he  has  helped  to  bear  are  anxious  .to 
bear  his  burden. 


20  Ruling  Elders'  Hand-hook. 

Here  is  another  obligation  of  the  elder  to  the  pastor: 
Always  shqw  due  respect  for  your  pastor.  "  He  is  the 
minister  of  God  to  thee  for  good. ' '  He  may  not  be  a 
man  deserving  of  much  respect.  He  may  not  be  faith- 
ful in  duty  ;  he  may  be  offensive  in  manner,  and  even 
tyrannical  in  his  official  actions,  but  for  all  that  he  is 
the  minister  of  the  gosjDel  of  Jesus  Christ.  For  that,  if 
for  nothing  else,  he  deserves  respect.  As  an  officer  of 
the  church  you  must  maintain  this  respect  to  its  or- 
dained teachers.  By  disresj^ect  to  the  man  you  may 
teach  disrespect  for  the  office.  An  insult  to  the  ambas- 
sador is  an  insult  to  the  king. 

Finally,  if  you  cannot  resiDectfully  sympathize  and 
co-operate  with  your  minister  in  the  work  of  the  church, 
either  doubt  your  own  qualification  for  the  office  of  el- 
der, or  doul :)t  tlie  propriety  of  continuing  that  minister 
as  your  pastor. 


CIIAPTEll  V. 

AMONG    THE    PEOPLE. 

I  wish  that  elders  might  he  impressed  with  the 
importance  and  the  enjoyment  of  family  visitation.  Let 
us  call  it  pastoral  visitation:  for  in  this  particular  the 
elder  is  also  a  pastor.  There  is  so  much  of  pleasant 
personal  experience  in  what  I  write  here  that  I  write 
with  confident  enthusiasm.  The  hcst  elders  are  husy 
men,  and  cannot  give  much  time  to  visitation.  But  a 
little  time  spent  occasionally  in  this  way  Avill  do  great 
good. 

I  would  suggest  that  the  congregation  he  carefully 
divided  into  districts,  and  that  one  or  two  elders  be  as- 
signed to  each.  This  district  is  then  the  field  for  which 
these  elders  are  responsible.  .Let  a  house-to-hous^ 
^^sitation  be  made  at  a  suitable  season,  when  the  people 
can  be  found  at  home,  either  having  previously  arranged 
for  this  or  trusting  to  circumstances  of  the  family  you 
visit.  Make  frequent  visits  to  the  aged  and  the  sick. 
Do  not  shght  the  poor.  See  that  new  families  coming 
into  the  community  are  visited. 

In  such  visitations  read  the  word  of  God  and  pray. 
In  prayer  seek  for  special  and  needed  blessings  upon 
the  homes  you  are  in.  Make  special  mention  of 
financial  troubles,  sickness,,  absent  ones,  and  especially 
pray  for  any  who  are  away  from  Christ.  Pray  also  for 
your  pastor,  your  church,  the  community,  and  for  any 
special. work  contemplated  by  the  church. 

In  conversation  talk  of  the  church,  and  of  the 
spiritual  needs  of  the  family.     Do  not  allow  the  con- 

21 


22  Ruling  Elders^   Hand-book. 

versation  to  turn  "upon  any  church  trouble.  Do  not 
make  your  visit  the  occasion  for  transacting  business. 
Close  your  ears  to  rumors  and  reports  against  fellow 
Christians.  Make  it  a  pastoral  visit  in  fact  as  well  as  in 
name. 

Attention  should  be  given  to  the  Scripture  lessons 
read.  Make  that  appropriate  to  the  occasion.  Read 
the  word  believing  that  "the  word  of  God  is  quick  and 
powerful. ' '  A  brief  comment  on  the  word  read  may 
not  be  amiss. 

Another  form  of  this  family  visitation  which  I  have 
found  specially  beneficial  is  the  cottage  prayer  meeting. 
The  elder  is  the  most  suitable  person  to  conduct  such  a 
meeting.  Form  a  little  company,  and  go  to  a  home'  to 
spend  an  hour  in  prayer  and  praise.  It  has  a  social  as 
well  as  a  spiritual  side  and  both  are  beneficial.  This  is 
specially  profitable  to  those  who  are  hindered  from 
attendance  upon  the  public  means  of  grace.  The  aged, 
mothers  of  small  children,  those  distant  from  the  house 
of  God,  and  also  a  large  number  who  are  naturally  in- 
different about  church  attendance,  may  be  greatly  bene- 
fited by  such  .meetings. 

They  also  afford  a  timid  elder  opportunity  to  exercise 
his  gifts  of  speech  and  also  of  speaking  against  growing 
evils  in  a  community  or  in  favor  of  spiritual  reforms. 
In  a  few  words  he  may  lay  bare  the  wrong,  or  present 
the  truth  in  such  manner  as  to  correct  error  or  even  to 
awaken  an  interest  which  may  spread  in  gracious  out- 
pouring to  the  whole  congregation. 

It  would  be  a  good  thing  to  hold  such  meetings  in  the 
homes  of  those  who  have  been  bereaved.     Go  to  them 


RiiUiif/  Elders'   Ifa,uJ-/,ook:  23 

and  minister  in  the  name  of  him  wli<^  *'  came  to  hind 
up  the  broken  hearted,  to  comfort  all  that  mourn,"  and 
your  mission  will  be  richly  blessed. 

In  visiting  olTenders  it  is  extremely  important  that 
the  interview  be  private.  It  may  do  harm  and  make 
the  visit  worse  than  useless  to  broach  the  subject  in  the 
presence  of  others,  especially  of  the  same  family.  The 
same  is  true  in  speaking  to  the  unconverted.  It  is  less 
embarrassing,  and  the  one  whom  you  would  lead  to 
Christ  will  si)eak  more  freely  if  you  can  converse  alone. 

In  all  your  visits  carry  the  spirit  of  the  Master  with 
you.  Minister  in  his  name  by  presenting  a  cheerful, 
hopeful  form  of  our  blessed  religion. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

IN    Tllli!    SABBATH    SCHOOL. 

"The  cliurch  session  is  charged  with  maintaining 
the  spiritual  government  of  the  church. "  The  General 
Asseml  )ly  has  made  fi'equent  deliverances  interpreting 
this  declaration  of  our  Form  of  Government  as  speci- 
ally applical:>le  to  the  Saljl)ath  school.  The  Assembly 
of  1886  says:  "We  emphasize  the  importance  of  the 
supervision  of  the  Sabbath  school  work,  and  the  se- 
lection of  officers  and  teachers  and  the  general  conduct 
of  the  school  by  the  sessions  of  the  res2:>ective  churches. ' ' 

Each  elder  stands  in  official  relation  to  the  Sabbath 
school.  It  is  not  so  much  what  the  session  may  do  as 
a  body  in  the  control  of  the  school  as  what  they  may 
do  as  individuals  in  furthering  its  interests.  Ordin- 
arily elders  are  elected  to  that  office  because  of  faithful- 
ness in  service  and  fitness  for  leadership  in  spiritual 
things.  This  implies  some  qualification  for  teaching 
also.  Here  then  is  his  responsibility.  Both  to  teach 
and  to  see  that  the  whole  work  of  the  school  is  properly 
conducted,  and  to  make  the  work  of  the  school  as 
profitable  as  possible  to  all  under  its  influence.  This 
oversight  cannot  be  maintained  by  staying  away  from 
the  school.  You  must  be  in  it  and  of  it  in  order  to 
help  it. 

AVe  are  too  liable  to  say  "The  superintendent  is  so 
capaljle  and  is  doing  so  well  that  we  need  not  inter- 
fere. "  It  is  not  interference  Ihat  we  recommend,  but 
earnest  counsel  and  help.       The  most  efficient  officer  is 

24 


Rzding  Elaers'  Hand-bocK.  'zb 

always  glad  to  have  that.  It  iri  not  a  liickof  confidence 
in  thtnr  casliicr  that  leads  tlie  directors  of  a  bank  t')look 
carefully  over  its  business,  but  in  order — through  com- 
bined wisdom — tfiere  maybe  no  mistakes.  Forget  the 
obnoxious  side  of  "oversight  and  control"  and  make  it 
rather  cordial  sympathy  and  generous  encouragement. 

In  the  management  of  the  school  bear  in  mind  that 
it  is  a  part  of  the  church,  not  an  appendage  to  it. 
In  a  large  measure  the  success  of  the  churcii  is  bound 
up  in  the  efficiency  of  the  Sabbath  school.  Ths  great 
doctrines  of  redemption  and  the  distinctive  doctrines  of 
our  own  branch  of  the  church  should  be  inculcated  in 
the  young.  The  Bible  and  the  Catechism  should  be 
the  text  books  of  every  Presi^yterian  Sabbath  school. 
Even  the  songs  of  the  children  should  be  guarded.  One 
of  the  potent  methods  of  introducing  error,  and  truth 
also,  into  the  early  church,  was  in  the  hymns  the  peo- 
ple sang.  Do  the  eldero  of  our  churches  know  that  the 
seeds  of  many  errors  are  in  the  '  'iingle' ''  cf  tlis  present 
day  which  we  are  pleased  or  obligsd  to  csill  Sabbath 
school  music  ? 

Again,  here  is  the  place  for  the  grcwt'2.  cf  tr-3  church. 
It  is  the  recruiting  place  of  the  army  of  ths  T'riuneGod. 
This  miUion  of  children  which  are  cared  for  by  the 
elders  of  to-day  will  be  a  million  church  members  in 
twenty  years.  They  will  be  the  elders  and  teachers 
and  i^reachers  of  tlie  next  generation.  And  they  will 
be  in  a  large  measure  the  product  and  reflection  of  the 
leaders  of  to-day.  Are  the  elders  of  to-day  like  the 
* 'children  of  Issachar,  which  were  men  that  had 
understanding  cf  the  times,  to  know  what  I^r^^el  ought 


l26  Ruling  Elders^  Hand-booh. 

to  do?  "  Here  is  the  place  to  develoj)  the  missionary 
spirit,  personal  piety,  a  love  for  the  house  of  God,  an 
interest  in  the  work  of  the  church,  as  well  as  an  ac- 
quaintance with  the  Bible  and  with  the  doctrines  of  the 
church. 


CHArTKR  VII. 

ALONE    WITH    GOD. 

' '  Jesus  was  alone  praying. ' '  The  people  avouIcI  have 
come  at  that  very  hour  to  make  him  their  king,  Ijut  it 
was  hetter  that  he  l)e  alone  with  Cirod.  Out  on  the  moun- 
tain the  Saviour  gained  strength  for  approaching  trial  and 
victory  over  sin  and  death.  There  he  was  prepared  "to 
fmisli  the  work  the  Father  gave  him  to  do."  What  a 
privilege  to  those  who  are  worried  and  wearied  with  the 
thoughtlessness  and  the  sin  of  others,  to  leave  the  world 
for  awhile  to  l)e  "  alone  with  God."  "  Enter  into  thy 
closet  and  shut  thy  door,  and  thy  Father  which  seeth 
in  secret  shall  reward  thee  openly. ' '  The  promises  of 
God' s  w^ord  become  more  precious  as  we  use  them.  Ser- 
vice becomes  lighter  as  we  cast  our  care  upon  Him 
whom  we  serve.  Nadab  and  Abihu  had  temptations 
peculiar  to  their  office.  So  does  every  one  in  official  posi- 
tion. The  official  robe  does  not  cover  from  the  temi)ter. 
Even  the  ancient  High  Priest  must  offer  sacrifice  for 
himself,  and  then  for  the  sins  of  the  people.  "When 
alone  with  God  we  can  tell  our  heart  wanderings,  our 
weaknesses,  our  sins  ;  we  can  ask  for  and  will  receive 
help  and  strength  from  the  great  source  of  strength. 
Here  we  receive  that  wisdom  from  above  which  we  espe- 
cially need  in  leading  souls  to  the  way  of  life. 

But  let  no  ruler  of  God's  house  imagine  that  there  is 
a  peculiar  manner  of  blessing  to  him  because  of  his 
office.  In  our  Lord's  whole  ministry  upon  the  earth 
he  only  used  the  precepts  and  promises  that  were  pre- 

27 


28  RiiJ'iinj  FJder.-i''   Hand-hool:  ' 

pared  for  the  use  of  all  mankind.  In  temptation,  in 
l)rayer,  in  teaching  he  drew  from  the  great  storehouse 
of  truth,  and  exercised  only  the  rights  we  have  in  times 
of  need.  Let  us  follow  the  Lord' s  example.  Plead  the 
promises.  Weave  mto  an  argument  the  divine  assur- 
ances of  help  and  strengthen  the  plea  we  make  with  a 
faith  that  takes  no  denial.  The  same  course  of  humil- 
itv,  confession,  penitence,  communion  with  God,  and 
faith  in  his  power  that  cheers  any  soul,  will  ever  be 
found  the  right  course  for  the  ruler  in  God' s  house.  And 
as  the  face  of  Moses  shone  with  the  glory  of  the  Lord 
when  he  came  out  from  his  presence,  so  will  the  face  of 
the  leaders  in  Israel  shine  when  they  mingle  with  the 
people  whom  they  serve. 

F(jr  the  sake  of  others  the  elder  sliould  be  often  alone 
with  God.  He  writes  the  names  of  all  the  tribes  upon 
his  breast  and  intercedes  for  them  at  a  throne  of  grace. 
The  sorrows  of  some,  the  sins  of  some,  the  worldliness 
of  some,  the  carelessness  and  indifference  of  some  make 
up  the  burden  he  carries  to  the  throne.  To  -piay  and 
to  confess  because  others  have  sinned  is  part  of  his  duty 
as  intercessor  and  friend,  may  we  say  as  representative 
of  the  people.  When  alone  with  God  tell  the  whole 
need  of  your  church,  of  the  people,  of  the  pastor.  Tell 
the  trials  of  the  weak,  shelter  the  tempted  with  the 
shield  of  your  faith.  Tell  the  sorrows  of  them  that 
mourn.  Tell  the  wanderings  of  the  worldly,  and  *the 
needs  of  the  soul  sick  of  sin.  Plead  for  those  who  are 
maddened  by  vice.  Intercede  for  all  as  Nehemiah  did 
for  his  people.  Let  an  interest  in  others  be  woven  into 
your  prayers   and   new  impulses,   higher   hopes   and 


RaliiKj  Kldcr-^''   Ibuul-boolc.  21J 

nol>kr  puriM)SLri  will  oxi)aii(l  your  souhi.syou  conic  out 
from  the  secret  place  of  the  ^lost  High  to  mingle  with 
those  for  whom  you  have  earnestly  prayed. 

Let  us  not  hurry  our  private  devotion.  Too  precious 
are  the  moments  spent  in  tlie  divine  presence  to  have 
them  crowded  with  hastily  uttered  expressions  of  half 
formed  desires,  or  to  have  them  filled  with  the  ordinary 
announcement  of  our  own  and  others'  wants.  The 
place  of  prayer  should  he  a  place  for  earnest  medita- 
tion, of  careful  thought  upon  the  things  we  desire. 
The  words  with  which  we  appear  before  the  King 
should  be  set  in  order.  Meditate  here  on  divine 
things.  Contemplate  the  divine  attributes.  Consider 
his  gracious  promises.  Ask  only  for  that  which  in  the 
heart  has  taken  the  form  of  an  earnest  desire.  It  is 
far  better  to  ask  for  a  few  things  in  hope  than  to  pray 
around  the  w^orld  without  a  well  defined  desire.  Here, 
too,  is  the  place  to  calm  the  mind  for  service.  Here, 
"  in  the  secret  of  his  presence,"  there  is  rest.  It  is  a 
calm  and  sure  retreat,  and  the  richest  blessings  of  a 
loving  Father  fall  upon  his  servants  while  they  lie 
prostrate  before  his  throne. 

"There,  there  on  engle  wings  we  soar, 
And  time  and  sense  seem  all  no  more  ; 
And  heaven  comes  down  our  souls  to  greet, 
And  glory  crowns  the  mercy  seat." 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

PUBLIC   PRAYER. 

The  elder  should  be  eminently  a  man  of  prayer.  He 
should  have  deep  convictions  as  to  the  efficacy  of 
prayer,  that  he  may  lead  others  to  a  like  belief.  He 
should  believe  in  direct  and  definite  answers  to  prayer. 
He  must  believe  that  ' '  the  prayer  of  a  righteous  man 
availeth  much."  From  much  private  communion 
with  God  he  comes  to  lead  and  help  others  in  pubhc 
prayer. 

We,  as  Presbyterians,  do  not  have  a  ritual,  and  are 
not  much  addicted  to  either  reading  or  recitiiig  our 
prayers.  It  is  not  the  purpose  of  the  A^Titer  to  give 
set  forms  for  various  occasions,  with  the  idea  that  they 
may  take  the  place  of  the  words  ' '  set  in  order ' '  by 
the  one  who  leads  in  prayer.  Doctor  Ashbel  Green 
calls  this  ' '  social  prayer. ' '  It  is  a  good  name,  because 
it  has  to  do  with  the  company  of  believers  assembled 
together,  vrith  a  community  of  interests,  and  with  the 
cause  of  Christ  at  heart.  If  those  who  lead  in  prayer 
would  bear  this  in  mind  it  would  be  a  helpful  guide  in 
this  part  of  public  worship. 

The  following  suggestions  are  offered  in  the  hope  that 
they  may  be  helpful: 

1.  You  lead  in  prayer.  Public  prayer  is  to  be  of 
such  a  character  as  to  rej)resent  the  interests  of  others. 
Ordinarily  petitions  of  a  personal  nature  should  be 
omitted.  But  it  is  highly  proper  that  the  special 
needs  of  any  in  the  community  should  be  mentioned. 

30 


Raluig  Eldcr.s'   JLind-hook.  31 

The  sick,  the  bereaved,  tliose  wlio  iu  the  providence  of 
God  are  liindered  from  meeting  in  tlie  sanctuary,  tliose 
wlio  have  returned  after  prolonged  absence,  strangers 
and  others  whose  personal  trials  call  forth  sympathy, 
should  be  rememberc>d  in  prayer.  It  would  perhaps  be 
a  good  rule  to  formulate  a  i)rayer  so  that  it  will  touch 
upon  that  which  the  people  are  naturally  thinking 
about. 

2.  Pmij  to  the  Father.  God,  the  Father,  is  the 
hearer  and  the  answerer  of  prayer.  We  are  to  ask  in 
the  name  of  the  Son,  and  in  this  we  are  guided  })y  the 
Spirit.  The  Saviour  sa^'s  :  ' '  In  that  day  ye  shall  ask 
me  nothing.  Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  you,  whatsoever 
ye  shall  ask  the  Father  in  my  name  he  will  give  it 
you." 

3.  Note  the  four  parts  of  prayer.  These  are  adora- 
tion, thanksgiving,  confession  and  petition.  All  these 
need  not  be  embodied  in  each  i)rayer,  but  none  should 
be  always  neglected.  In  adoration,  2:)raise  the  grace 
and  love  of  God.  Remember  all  the  attributes  of 
divinity;  adore  the  giver  of  every  good  and  j^^i'fect 
gift.  Be  thankful;  recount  the  blessings  of  the  past; 
praise  the  author  of  so  great  and  precious  promises; 
confess  the  sin  of  the  peo^^le.  God  expects  it;  sinners 
need  it.  Every  heart  will  respond  to  the  penitent 
publican's  prayer,  ''God  be  merciful  to  me,  a  sinner." 

Petition  is  the  most  definite  part  of  prayer;  the 
l)art  we  are  not  liable  to  forget.  It  is  asking  for  the 
things  we  desire,  telling  our  complaints,  seeking  balm 
for  our  soul's  w^ounds,  and  interceding  for  others. 


32  Ruling  Elders'   Hand-hook. 

4.  Use  Scripture  in  'prayer.  Familiarity  with  the 
word  of  God  is  the  best  preparation  for  public  prayer. 
Here  we  have  the  inspired  forms  that  have  been  on  the 
lips  of  believers  in  every  age.  They  have  been  sanctified 
by  use  as  well  as  by  divine  authority.  They  are  doubly 
precious  because  they  have  been  answered  so  often. 
They  are  proper  because  they  are  couched  in  language 
suited  for  public  use.  Yet  the  proper  meaning  of  each 
passage  of  Scripture  used  in  prayer  should  be  considered. 

5.  Forms  ofiyraycr.  I  do  not  recommend  the  reading 
of  prayers  from  a  prayer-l)ookj  nor  memorizing  and 
reciting  prayers;  yet  I  would  recommend  either  of  these 
rather  than  entire  silence  on  the  part  of  the  ruling  elder. 
Moreover,  I  do  believe  that  any  elder  would  be  greatly 
helped  by  keeping  at  hand  a  book  of  prayers,  carefully 
read  it,  memorize  portions,  and  thus  learn  in  general  the 
language  of  public  prayer.  A  prayer  carefully  written 
and  recited  from  memory  would  be  proper.  Be  assured 
tliat  the  ' '  words  set  in  order  before  the  king  ' '  are 
acceptable. 

6.  '  ■  Vain  repetitions. ' '  Much  has  Ueen  said  wpon 
this.  !Much  more  will  be  said  before  the  evil  is  corrected. 
Those  who  lead  in  public  prayer  are  liable  to  drift  into 
a  habit  of  repeating  words  and  phrases  which  become 
tiresome  to  the  hearer  and  sometimes  leads  to  sacri- 
legious ridicule.  Simple  words  and  forms  of  expres- 
sion should  always  be  chosen.  Peculiar  expressions 
and  startling  and  sensational  utterances  are  never  in 
place  in  prayer.  Every  word  should  be  distinctly 
uttered.  The  natural  voice  should  be  used  and  modula- 
tion so  guarded  as  not  to  speak  so  low  that  you  will  not 


be  lu^anl  or  so  liigli  that  you  will  Avoary  yourself  and 
those  who  liear.  The  tone  and  manner  of  one  who 
leads  in  prayer  Ikivc  very  much  to  do  with  the  effect 
upon  those  who  hear.  Let  your  manner  be  such  that 
the  congregation  will  feel  that  you  are  in  the  very  pres- 
ence of  CJod  and  that  you  are  talking  to  him. 

7.  Individuality.  However  much  we  may  study  the 
needs  and  desires  of  others  in  order  to  properly  present 
them  at  a  throne  of  grace,  there  is  still  to  be  an  in- 
dividuality in  our  prayer.  Our  own  desires  and 
interests,  especially  as  they  pertain  to  the  Kingdom  of 
God,  should  be  prominent  j^arts  of  our  prayers.  You 
are  interested  in  some  particular  cause.  It  may  be  a 
''hobby"  with  you,  but  to  you  it  is  of  great  impor- 
tance. Don't  have  a  hobby  that  you  cannot  pray  for. 
Let  it  be  a  burden  ujion  your  heart  and  the-  burden  of 
your  prayer,  and  some  will  become  interested  because 
of  your  interest,  and  thus  the  good  cause  wall  be 
advanced.  Your  earnestness  will  help  to  answer  your 
prayer.  Make  prominent  in  your  prayers  the  thing  in 
which  you  are  interested.  Others  will  do  the  same,  and 
thus  many  interests  will  be  represented.  You  may 
very  properly  dw^ell  upon  missions,  temperance,  national 
sins,  church  unity,  Sabbath  keeping,  worldliness, 
spiritual  declension,  the  Sabbath  school,  youth  of  the 
church,  &c.  Make  such  subjects  as  these  prominent  in 
your  public  prayers,  and  you  wdll  awaken  an  interest  in 
others. 

8.  Divine  help  in  'praying.  We  know^  not  what  to 
pray  for  as  we  ought.  We  need  instruction  in  prayer. 
To  learn  to  pray  we  must  often  ask  of  him  who   taught 


34  Ruling  Elders'  Hand-hook. 

his  disciples  to  pray  to  teach  us  the  same  lessons, 
is  a  sad  comment  on  the  experiences  of  some  of  the  early 
church,  ''ye  have  not  because  ye  ask  not;  ye  ask 
and  receive  not  because  ye  ask  amiss."  Yet  in 
the  same  connection  we  are  admonished  to  "  draw  nigh 
to  God  and  he  will  draw  nigh  to  us. "  Private  prayer 
and  communion  with  God  will  aid  much  in  this  pubhc 
duty.  The  prayer  of  every  follower  of  Christ  should  be 
that  of  the  first  disciple  :  "  Lord,  teach  us  to  pray." 
What  a  stimulus  to  earnest  prayer  to  know  that  ' '  the 
Spirit  also  helpeth  our  infirmities  and  maketh  interces- 
sion for  us  with  groanings  that  cannot  be  uttered. ' ' 

9.  A  most  helpful  book  on  this  subject  is  :  "With 
Christ  in  the  School  of  Prayer,"  by  Andrew  Murray.  I 
wish  every  elder  might  read  it. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

PUBLIC    WORSHIP. 

It  is  an  important  thing  that  each  church  be  opened 
every  Sabbath  for  public  worship.  ^lany  churches  are 
without  the  service  of  a  stated  minister,  others  have 
only  part  of  a  minister's  time  and  they  must  either 
not  worship  at  all  in  the  absence  of  the  minister  or  the 
elders  must  conduct  the  service.  It  is  the  duty  of 
every  elder  of  our  church  to  counteract  the  idea  wliich 
seems  to  be  growing  common,  that  no  religious  service 
can  be  held  without  a  minister.  It  is  the  duty  of  the 
elders  especially  to  maintain  pul)lic  worship,  even  in 
the  absence  of  an  ordained  minister.  The  congregation 
can  scarcely  hope  to  develop  numerically  or  spiritually 
that  has  only  one  or  two  ser\dces  in  a  month,  while  the 
church  is  closed  entirely  all  the  rest  of  the  time.  In  such 
emergencies,  the  elders  must  be  ''pastors  and  teachers. " 
Tliey  may  expound  the  Scripture,  lecture,  or  give  an 
exhortation,  or  read  a  sermon.  I  believe  that  a  regular, 
formal  service  in  which  the  elder  goes  into  the  pulpit, 
conducts  the  service  in  the  regular  form,  and  delivers  a 
well  prepared  address,  will  do  great  good.  '  Treach  the 
word. ' '  Give  dignity  to  the  service  and  to  your  office. 
^lake  it  a  rule  that  the  church  where  you  act  as  elder 
shall  be  opened  every  Sabbath  and  that  the  people 
shall  have  an  opportunity  to  engage  in  worshij:).  I 
firmly  believe  that  there  is  something  sadly  wrong  with 
that  session  whose  church  is  closed  Sabbath  after  Sab- 
bath and  no  effort  made  to  bring  the  people  together 
to  worship.     It  is  a  sure  way  of  disbanding  a  church. 

35 


36  Ruling  Elders'  Hand-book. 

Well  does  the  writer  remember  the  little  country 
church  where  his  father  was  a  faithful  elder.  From 
that  boyhood  experience  I  know  whereof  I  speak.  The 
church  was  poor  and  generally  ''vacant."  But  it 
was  kept  alive  by  the  grace  of  God  and  by  the  faithful- 
ness of  the  elders.  There  were  only  thirty  members. 
The  elders  lived  from  one  to  three  miles  away.  Yet 
that  church  was  open  every  Sabbath.  Through  winter 
snows  and  summer  heat,  through  pelting  storms  and 
muddy  roads  the  people  came — not  to  hear  an  eloquent 
sermon  b}^  a  noted  preacher — but  to  worship  in  a  meet- 
ing conducted  by  ' 'only  an  elder. "  I  have  seen  that 
church  crowded  to  the  doors  and  that  crowd  subdued 
almost  to  revival  earnestness  in  services  where  an  elder 
with  limited  gifts  conducted  the  service,  speaking  not 
very  good  English,  and  it  may  be  not  very  sound 
theology,  earnest  words  that  touched  many  hearts.  It 
could  scarcely  be  said  that  these  elders  were  '  'apt  to 
teach, ' '  but  what  is  better,  it  could  be  said  that  they 
did  their  duty. 

There  are  elders  in  most  of  our  churches  capable  of 
doing  this  work  "if  there  be  first  a  willing  mind;" 
there  are  wonderful  resources  in  our  Presbyterian 
Church  and  in  the  Presbyterian  system,  which  have 
not  yet  been  develoj)ed.  There  is  a  latent  power  here 
that  needs  only  to  be  awakened  to  its  opportunity, 
needs  to  be  called  to  the  front  and  its  response  will 
prove  a  rich  blessing.  Elders  should  remember  that  by 
their  ordination  they  are  authorized  and  commission- 
ed to  do  this  very  work.  If  the  early  church  scarcely 
knew  the  difference  between  the  ' '  teaching  elder ' '  and 


Ruling  Elders^  Hand-book.  37 

"ruling  elder"  it  is  certainly  possible  for  our  elders  now 
to  make  this  distinction  less  than  it  is. 

With  this  broader  conception  of  your  office  and  with 
these  ordination  vows  upon  you  and  the  care  of  im- 
mortal souls  pressing,  will  you  not  see  that  the  church 
where  you  rule  is  never  closed  on  a  Sabbath  when  you 
can  be  there  ?  Will  you  not  make  sure  that  '  'saint  and 
sinner  shall  have  his  portion, "  even  though  it  be  your 
own  poor  mouth  that  tells  the  story  ? 

The-Sabbath  services  and  the  mid-week  prayer  meet- 
ing may  all  be  conducted  in  this  manner  to  the  glory 
of  God  and  for  the  good  of  his  people.  New  workers 
may  be  enlisted,  latent  material  developed  and  new 
life  imparted  to  many.  The  people  will  rally  to  the 
support  of  the  elders,  they  will  unite  in  prayer  and 
effort,  and  without  waiting  for  a  preacher  of  the  word, 
the  church  will  grow  in  grace  and  knowledge,  and 
sinners  will  be  converted  unto  God. 


CHAPTER  X. 

RECEPTIOX   OF   MEMBERS. 

* 'Admission  of  23ersons  to  the  sealing  ordinances"  is 
a  sacred,  a  solemn  duty.  It  brings  joy  if  carefully  per- 
formed, it  becomes  a  burden  if  done  carelessly.  Wis- 
dom, discretion,  prudence  and  firmness  are  all  necessary 
in  this  work  of  the  session.  There  is  sometimes  a 
misguided  zeal  to  have  a  large  accession,  and  some- 
times a  feeling  that  because  of  special  manifestations  of 
the  Holy  Spirit  which  awakens  many,  that  there  is 
hope  for  all  who  come.  It  is  at  these  special  seasons 
the  session  is  most  liable  to  err.  From  my  own  expe- 
rience, I  assure  the  elders  to  whom  I  write  that  there 
are  times  when  it  is  far  better  not  to  receive  persons 
than  to  admit  them,  only  to  grieve  the  church  by  their 
sins.  It  is  highly  proper,  when  the  session  is  not 
entirely  satisfied  with  the  profession  of  those  who  apply 
for  church  membership,  to  advise  them  to  delay  till 
their  faith  is  clearer,  or  till  the  evidence  of  a  change  of 
heart  is  more  apparent.  If  any  take  offense,  that  is 
evidence  that  the  advice  was  proper,  but  in  most  cases 
it  will  be  found  that  they  will  return  with  the  very 
evidence  that  was  lacking  at  first. 

No  person  should  be  received  simply  because  he 
seeks  admission  to  the  church.  The  session,  not  the 
individual,  is  to  be  the  judge  of  fitness  for  membership. 
No  one  should  be  allowed  to  rush  heedlessly  into  so 
solemn  a  relationship,  without  being  duly  impressed 
with  its  sanctity  and  without  feeling  the  solemn  obliga- 

38 


Raliwj  KIdcr.s'   Jf,nnl-h<>ok.  39 

tlon  tliiit  is  thiiH  iinpof^ed  upon  liiin.  Not  an  impulse, 
))ut  a  deep  seated  conviction  should  impel  to  church 
mem])ership.  The  Lord's  parable  of  the  seed  that  fell 
on  the  rock  is  in  point  here. 

Care  should  be  taken  during  seasons  of  special  awak- 
ening, or  "when  evangelistic  work  has  been  in  progress, 
or  when  for  any  reason,  large  numl)ers  are  awakened. 
Do  not  think  that  all  who  are  aroused  are  truly  con- 
verted. Examine  every  candidate  carefully.  Do  not  ]>e 
in  haste  to  receive  any.  Wait  a  few  weeks  till  convic- 
tions are  settled.  The  church  will  not  lose  by  this. 
It  is  a  gain  not  to  receive  a  person  wdio  is  not  truly 
converted.  If  elders  would  feel  that  they  are  equally 
responsiljle  with  the  pastor  in  the  reception  of  mem- 
bers, and  that  it  is  a  sacred  duty  to  admit  only  those 
who  are  worthy,  it  would  be  far  better.  Often  an 
ambitious  pastor,  desirous  of  making  a  big  record  of 
accessions,  and  not  familiar  with  the  character  of  per- 
sons applying  for  membership,  leaves  a  church  with,  a 
roll  which  must  needs  be  purged  over  and  over  again 
before  the  ill  advised  work  is  undone.  Session^,  being 
the  more  permanent  factor  in  the  organization  of  the 
church,  should  put  a  check  upon  this  by  guarding  more 
carefully  the  reception  of  members. 

In  examining  candidates  for  admission  to  the  church 
we  should  seek  to  learn  if  they  have  a  true  sense  of  sin, 
a  conviction  of  personal  sin,  and  a  hope  in  the  cleans- 
ing blood  of  Christ.  Find  the  evidence  and  ground  of 
a  faith  that  clings  to  Christ  as  the  only  hope  of  salva- 
tion. Does  the  heart  warm  with  love  for  the  Master, 
and  is  it  ready  to  be  filled  wuth  his  grace  ?     Is  there  evi- 


40  Eiding  Elder. ^i^  Hand-hook. 

dence  of  a  spirit  of  j^rayer,  an  interest  in  the  word  of 
life,  a  determination,  to  forsake  sin  and  to  live  in  the 
fellowship  of  God's  children?  Is  there  a  willingness 
to  make  some  sacrifice  for  Jesus,  and  to  bear  some  trial 
for  his  glory  ?  Are  evil  habits  and  associations  aban- 
doned ?  Is  there  a  spirit  of  forgiveness  and  a  heart 
free  from  malice  and  envy  ?  These  are  some  of  the  well 
known  marks  of  that  change  from  darkness  to  light 
which  we  ex])ect  in  those  who  follow  Christ.  We  ought 
to  keep  every  unsaved  person  out  of  the  church,  and 
welcome  every  saved  j^erson  to  its  membership.  But 
if  in  this  we  often  fail  we  should  still  maintain  the 
principle. 

As  a  practical  guide  in  receiving  members  into  the 
church  we  make  the  following  suggestions  : 

First.  Permit  only  a  few  to  appear  before  the  session 
at  a  time.  Two,  three  or  four  may  appear  and  make 
their  profession,  and  they  be  followed  by  others.  As 
preparatory  to  this  it  is  a  good  tiling  for  the  elders  each 
to  consult  privately  with  applicants,  so  as  to  be  familiar 
with  their  thoughts  and  experiences,  and  to  relieve  em- 
barrassment. 

Second.  I  recommend  a  written  examination  if  pos- 
sible. Give  such  a  list  of  questions  as  you  would  ask 
to  an  applicant  to  answer  in  writing  at  home,  to  be  re- 
turned at  a  future  meeting  of  the  session.  Having 
tested  this  I  most  heartily  recommend  it. 

Third.  Make  those  who  are  received  feel  that  they 
are  actually  received  into  the  "fellowship  of  the 
church. ' '  A  warm  hand  shake,  a  few  words  of  Chris- 
tian greeting,  a  kindly  word  of  advice  to  the  young  will 


Raliiiy  Eldcrii    JIaud-buok.  41 

be  a  great  help  to  the  one  beginning  the  Christian  Hfe. 
Those  who  can  only  be  received  to  doubtful  disputations 
should  not  be  received  at  all. 

Fourth.  Let  the  reception  of  members  be  attended 
by  some  special  attention  to  it  in  the  church.  A  social 
meeting  for  introduction,  or  a  meeting  at  the  home  of 
one  of  the  elders  where  religious  exercises  and  social 
greetings  combine  to  occupy  the  time,  will  do  good. 
Sometimes  a  suitable  book,  a  suggestive  tract,  or  a  neatly 
printed  certificate  of  church  membership,  will  prove  a 
treasure  for  coming  years. 

Fifth.  The  best  protection  and  'help  we  can  give  to  a 
young  church  member  is  a  place  to  work.  Of  course 
we  should  ''lay  hands  suddenly  on  no  man."  But 
there  are  unofficial  positions  where  the  beginner  may  be 
tested  and  his  usefulness  Droved.  Do  not  expect  be- 
ginners in  the  Christian  life  to  prove  their  efficiency  by 
doing  nothing.  Put  them  to  work  at  saving  souls  for 
their  own  good  as  well  as  for  the  good  of  others. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

DISCIPLINE. 

''.Discipline  is  the  exercise  of  that  authority  and  the 
appHcation  of  that  system  of  laws  which  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  has  appointed  in  his  church." 

' '  The  ends  of  discipline  are  the  maintenance  of  the 
truth,  the  vindication  of  the  authority  and  the  honor 
of  Christ,  the  removal  of  offenses,  the  promotion  of  the 
purity  and  edification  of  the  church  and  the  spiritual 
good  of  offenders."    '(Book  of  Discipline,  chap.  I.) 

If  sessions  would  keep  this  object  of  discipline  in 
mind,  there  would  be  a  more  frequent  exercise  of  it  and 
with  better  results.  Generally  it  is  applied  only  to 
gross  offenders,  and  then  only  with  the  idea  of  ridding 
the  church  of  them  and  not  with  an  effort  to  reclaim 
them. 

There  is  a  hopeful  side  to  this  work  of  sessions  that  I 
wish  I  might  impress.  It  is  the  j^ossibility  of  reclaim- 
ing a  large  number  of  offenders  by  the  tender  applica- 
tion of  the  divine  law.  We  too  often  set  about  to  get 
rid  of  a  gross  offender,  and  allow  minor  offenses  to  pass, 
when  pra3'erful  counsel  w^ould  reclaim  the  one  and  re- 
strain the  other. 

I  have  in  mind  three  cases  in  my  own  experience. 
The  sin  was  the  same.  Two  of  them  were  tenderly 
warned  of  the  magnitude  of  their  sin,  and  urged  to  re- 
pent and  confess.  Both  did  so  after  a  little  time,  and 
the  session  being  fully  satisfied  of  their  sincerity,  re- 
stored them  to  the  communion  of  the  church,  making 

42 


Ruling  Kldcr6'  Hand-buoL.  -V-'t 

public  {innoiincement  of  the  action.  The  other  person 
was  ni)t  warned  or  counseled.  He  was  simply  let  alone. 
Tlie  flagrant  sin  became  a  reproach  upon  the  church. 
Other  sins  followed,  till  the  i)erson  was  utterly  demor- 
alized, who  might  havel^een  reclaimed  if  taken  in  time. 

Ordinarily,  there  should  be  no  haste  in  bringing  for- 
mal charges  against  offenders.  That  should  be  the  last 
resort.  It  is  generally  better  to  patiently  wait  for  a 
season.  Conscience  may  be  quickened  and  a  voluntary 
confession  made,  which  is  far  better.  But  w^hatcver 
time  may  elapse  before  decided  action,  the  offender 
should  know  that  the  session  takes  notice  of  the  of- 
fense, and  expects  amendment  to  be  made. 

No  set  of  rules  can  be  laid  down  for  process  against 
offenders.  Each  case  has  its  own  peculiar  surround- 
ings, and  these  must  be  considered.  Prudence,  gentle- 
ness, caution,  and  with  it  all  the  thought  that  the  good 
of  the  offender  is  the  principal  object,  will  solve  many 
a  difficulty.  The  elder  is  morally  and  officially  bound 
to  hold  confidence  in  every  meml:)er  of  the  church.  He 
must  apply  the  principle  that  "  a  man  is  to  be  treated 
as  innocent  "until  he  is  proven  guilty. ' '  Discredit  every 
rumor  that  you  can.  Defend  the  honor  of  every  mem- 
ber of  the  church.  Believe  the  worst  only  when  you 
must.  Always  bear  in  mind  that  the  mission  of  the 
church  of  Christ  is  to  seek  and  to  save  that  wdiich  was 
lost,  and  to  heal  that  wliich  is  lame.  If  the  keys  of  the 
kingdom  have  been  committed  to  you,  do  not  misuse 
your  responsibilit}^  by  closing  the  door  too  soon  or  by 
casting  out  any  who  might  be  reclaimed.  In  some 
measure  apply  to  yourself  the  divine  promise  to  the 


44  Ruling  Elders''   Hand-book. 

weak  and  erring,  ' '  I  will  strengthen  thee,  I  will  help 
thee,  I  will  cause  thee  to  stand."  Bear  in  mind  that 
the  mission  of  the  church  is  to  take  these  weak  onea  and 
nourish  them  into  strength.  There  may  be  a  limit  to 
patience,  but  let  us  err  rather  on  the  side  of  gospel  gen- 
tleness than  of  legal  severity.  Every  member  received 
into  a  Presbyterian  church  is  expected  to  retain  his 
connection  with  the  church  of  Christ  to  the  end  of  life. 
Let  us  throw  such  influences  around  the  weak  and  err- 
ing as  to  hold  them  for  the  Master,  restraining  them 
from  sin  and  aiding  them  to  grow  up  into  the  fall  stature 
of  manhood  in  Christ. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

THE    COMMUNION   TABLE. 

There  is  no  more  solemn  assem])lage  of  God's  people 
than  where  they  commemorate  the  sullering  and  death 
of  the  Saviour.  Precious  are  the  blessings  which  fall  upon 
every  church  wliile  they  thus  commune  with  the  Lord. 
Nothing  should  be  admitted  to  that  solemn  hour  that 
will  mar  the  service  or  divert  the  attention.  '  Solemn 
thought  and  prayerful  contemplation  of  Jesus  Christ  as 
he  is  ^ '  evidently  set  forth  crucified, ' '  should  occupy  the 
time.  Extreme  care  should  be  taken  that  the  condi- 
tions be  favorable  for  this. 

Because  of  some  sad  experiences  I  make  the  follow- 
ing suggestions.  To  most  of  my  readers  they  may 
seem  unnecessary,  but  I  know  that  they  are  much 
needed  in  some  churches. 

Let  the  elders  agree  upon  one  person,  either  an  elder 
or  a  prudent  woman  of  the  church,  who  shall  prepare 
the  table.  See  to  it  that  the  table  is  prej^ared  before 
the  room  is  occupied.  I  have  seen  a  service,  otherwise 
solemn,  marred  by  the  opening  of  packages,  arranging 
linen,  drawing  stoppers  from  bottles,  etc.,  in  the  pres- 
ence of  the  congregation.  Do  not,  I  beg  of  you,  let 
this  occur.  Even  if  the  person  whose  duty  it  is  to  pre- 
pare the  table  may  live  a  long  distance  from  the 
church,  he  should  be  sure  to  reach  it  in  time  to  per- 
form his  duty  so  as  to  avoid  these  distractions.  See 
that  everything  is  exactly  right,  and  then  let  the  table 
be  properly  covered  until  the   elements   are   needed. 

45 


4(5  Ruling  Elders'   Hand-book. 

Let  the  elder  whose  duty  it  is,  remove  the  cover  from 
the  table  just  before  the  prayer  of  consecration.  Do 
nothing  while  hymns  are  being  sung.  Let  the  elders 
who  have  been  previously  appointed  stand  to  receive 
rhe  elements  from  the  hand  of  the  minister,  and  at  his 
"signal  begin  to  distribute  to  the  j^eople.  The  bread 
should  be  broken,  or  cut  into  small  pieces,  so  that  it 
need  not  be  broken  again  by  the  communicant.  The 
cups  should  be  kept  properly  replenished,  so  that  no 
one  would  be  obliged  to  di'ink  the  ' '  dregs. ' '  Carry 
the  vessels  in  a  dignified  manner.  Do  not  swing  the 
urn  at  your  side  as  you  would  a  pail  of  water.  Avoid 
undue  haste.  Be  sure  that  all  are  served.  Serve  the 
officiating  minister  and  others  seated  with  him  first. 
Let  the  elders  be  served  by  the  minister  after  the  con- 
gregation. Have  nothing  on  the  table  that  is  not 
needed,  not  even  a  boquet.  As  soon  as  all  are  served  cover 
the  table  and  let  it  remain  thus  until  the  communicants 
have  left  the  church. 

Do  not  eat  of  the  bread  or  sup  at  the  wine  after 
the  service.  Be  orderly,  dignified,  prompt.  You  are 
in  a  position  to  add  much  to  the  solemnity  of  the 
service  or  to  mar  it  l)y  clumsiness.  Give  attention  to 
these  little  things  and  you  will  aid  very  much  in  the 
observance  of  the  Lord's  Supper. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

REPRESENTATIVE   CHARACTER   OF   THE   SESSION. 

The  session  is  to  represent  the  best  elements  and 
influences  of  the  congregation.  They  are  to  study  to 
make  themselves  proper  leaders.  There  must  be  a 
close  bond  of  union  between  the  congregation  and  its 
representatives. 

It  frequently  occurs  that  the  existing  session  must 
take  steps  for  the  increase  of  their  number.  It  is 
proper  that  they,  having  carefully  considered  the  inter- 
ests of  the  whole  congregation,  should  make  plans  for 
election  of  elders  and  lay  them  before  the  congrega- 
tion. The  session  may  suggest  the  number  of  new 
elders  needed,  and  may  nominate  persons  whom  they 
consider  suitable. 

It  should  always  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  elder  is 
a  representative  of  the  spiritual  interests  of  the  congre- 
gation. His  own  spiritual  character  is  his  first  qualifi- 
cation for  office.  Without  that,  no  one  should  be 
considered  available.  And  of  this  the  session  is  the 
best  judge.  A  "faction"  has  no  right  to  exist  in  a 
Presb}i:erian  church,  and  as  such,  has  no  right  to  rep- 
resentation in  the  session.  Yet,  we  cannot  close  our 
eyes  to  the  fact  that  parties  are  formed,  and  their 
leaders  recognized  in  many  churches.  It  would  be 
proper,  where  such  parties  exist  and  where  men  wlio 
are  conscientious,  and  who  are  loyal  to  the  whole 
church  may  be  found,  to  call  them  to  the  office  of 
elder.     It  will  often  allay  ill  feelings,   and  unite  those 

47 


48  Ruling  Elders'  Hand-book. 

who  would  otherwise  become  estranged.  But  this 
ghould  not  be  done  in  the  spirit  of  rivalry,  or  to  per- 
petuate factional  strife. 

Frequently  congregations  are  made  up  of  various 
classes  in  social  and  business  life.  ' '  The  rich  and  the 
poor  meet  together. ' '  Professional  and  business  men 
sit  at  the  Lord's  table  with  mechanics  and  artisans. 
The  fashionable  belle  passes  the  communion  cup  to  the 
servant  girl.  The  employer  may  sit  next  to  the 
employe.  ' '  The  Lord  is  the  maker  of  them  all. ' ' 
These  various  classes  will  feel  a  deeper  interest  in  the 
church,  and  more  comfortable  in  the  worship,  if  from 
their  own  number  there  be  a  representative  in  the 
session.  They  may  not  demand  it,  but  nevertheless 
will  feel  the  lack  of  it.  There  are  often  godly,  faithful 
men,  lacking  refinement  and  education,  but  supplying 
that  lack  by  their  good  sense  and  piety,  who  may  sit 
with  professional  and  educated-  men,  and  in  reality, 
will  be  their  peers  in  directing  the  affairs  of  the  church. 
Shrewdness,  or  wealth,  or  education  are  not  to  be 
regarded  as  essential  qualifications  for  the  office  of 
ruling  elder. 

The  various  agencies  and  societies  of  the  congrega- 
tion should,  in  some  manner,  be  represented  in  the 
session.  The  Sabbath  school,  the  Missionary  Society, 
the  Young  People's  Society,  should  each  have  a  sym- 
pathetic representative  in  the  session. 

In  many  churches  the  question  of  geographical  loca- 
tion should  be  considered.  Part  of  a  congregation  in  a 
village,  and  part  in  the  surrounding  community  should 
each  be  represented.     So   also,     where    two    villages 


Ruling  Kldcr.>'  1  land-book.  4'J 

or  two  farming  districts  are  represented.  Even  in 
towns  iuid  cities  the  "up  town"  and  "down  town" 
districts  should  have  representation. 

There  is  no  rule  governing  the  number  of  elders  ne- 
cessary to  constitute  a  session.  But  no  church  where 
they  can  be  obtained  should  have  less  than  three  or 
four.  Where  there  are  only  two  elders  both  must 
always  be  present  to  "constitute  a  quorum."  And  if 
one  of  these  be  feeble,  or  if  the  homes  of  the  two  be 
widely  separated,  it  greatly  interferes  with  the  work  of 
the  congregation  and  sometimes  almost  compels  pro- 
ceedings which  are  not  strictly  legal. 

It  is  probably  according  to  custom  to  have  four  elders 
for  a  church  of  one  hundred  members  or  less,  six  for 
two  hundred  and  an  elder  for  each  additional  fifty  mem- 
bers. 

In  some  congregations  there  is  an  impression  that 
"elder"  means  "old  man,"  and  that  no  one  should 
be  chosen  to  this  office  who  has  not  passed  the  meridian 
of  life.  This  is  a  serious  mistake.  There  are  effi- 
cient young  men  who  should  be  taken  while  they  are 
young.  Under  the  leadership  of  men  of  maturer  years 
they  will  be  prepared  for  greater  usefulness.  Their  zeal 
and  courage  will  inspire  the  members  of  the  church  and 
be  a  stimulus  to  the  older  men  with  whom  they  associ- 
ate. A  session  composed  entirely  of  inexperienced 
young  men  is,  of  course,  not  desirable,  nor  is  a  session 
composed  entirely  of  old  men  very  much  more  desira- 
ble. Why  should  a  young  man  at  twenty-five  or  thirty 
be'considered  worthy  to  sit  as  moderator  of  the  session 
and  as  leader  in  all  the  spiritual  work  of  the  church, 


50  Ruling  Elders'  Hand-hook. 

and  not  other  young  men  to  be  seated  with  him  ashelp- 
-ers  in  the  work  ? 

Let  me  speak  a  word  confidentially  in  the  ears  ot  tne 
elders  concerning  their  own  term  of  service.  There 
may  come  a  time  when  you  should  ''cease  to  act." 
There  may  be  changes  in  the  congregation,  or  in 
yourself,  that  will  make  you  an  improper  represent- 
ative of  the  people.  Of  this  you  may  be  the  best  judge. 
In  your  closet,  alone  with  God,  where .  you  seek  bless- 
ings upon  the  church,  you  may  receive  light  that  will 
lead  you  to  such  a  course.  Do  not  allow  any  personal 
motive  or  ambition,  or  a  stubborn  determination  to 
' '  rule  or  ruin, ' '  to  get  possession  of  your  mind.  Your 
own  personal  inclinations  and  interests  should  always 
be  lost  in  the  higher  good  of  the  church  of  Christ.  Con- 
sider first  the  honor  of  Christ  and  your  course  will  bring 
honor  to  yourself.  Let  the  good  of  the  church  be  your 
highest  interest  and  you  will  readily  determine  when 
you  cease  to  be  a  representative  of  the  spiritual  interests 
of  the  church,  or  when  your  service  has  ceased  to  be 
profitable  to  those  who  once  chose  you  to  be  their  spir- 
itual leader.  The  so-called  ' '  rotary  system  ' '  ought  not 
to  be  made  an  expedient  for  ' '  getting  rid  of  "  an  unac- 
ceptable elder.  Yet  there  can  be  little  doubt  that  the 
principal  reason  for  its  existence  is  that  many  elders 
would  not  or  could,  not  see  when  the  time  of  their  efii- 
ciency  and  acceptance  with  the  people  had  ended.  See 
to  it  that  no  such  expedient  is  necessary  to  remove  you 
from  an  ofiice  to  which  you  have  been  called  for  the 
glory  of  God.  '^  ,    ^     ■ 


CHAPTKR    XIV 


IN    THE    HIGHER    COURTS. 


Our  Presl)yterian  system  embodies  the  grand  idea  of 
the  unity  of  the  chiireh.  The  individual  cluirches  are 
hound  together  locally  in  the  Presbytery.  The  Presby- 
teries are  bound  together  in  the  Synod  and  in  the 
(leneral  Assembly.  The  elder  stands  as  the  peer  of  the 
minister  in  all  these  higher  courts.  This  is  a  wide  field 
for  usefulness  in  his  office.  But  only  occasionally  is 
the  elder  in  these  higher  courts,  and  for  that  reason 
his  active  interest  is  not  continuous.  Yet  through  the 
agency  of  our  excellent  and  aggressive  church  papers, 
winch  ought  to  be  in  every  eldei''s  home,  he  may  be 
thoroughly  informed,  and  when  called  upon  to  attend 
and  vote  he  may  do  it  intelligently. 

The  elders  being  shrewd  business  men  are  often 
capable  of  making  suggestions,  and  proposing  plans  in 
the  business  of  the  church  which  would  not  be  thought 
of  by  ministers.  Often  an  elder  lawyer  will  set  a  whole 
presbytery  or  synod  right  on  a  point  of  law\  Often  a 
practical  business  man  will  detect  the  flaw  in  a  plausible 
scheme  which  would  otherwise  prove  itself  impracticable. 
Too  many  impossible  methods  are  projected  by  men 
unskilled  in  practical  business  affairs.  The  church 
cannot  carry  on  its  great  benevolent  and  educational 
work  without  these  prudent  elders. 

They  are  also  needed  as  the  conservators  of  doctrine. 
I  do  not  say  that  they  are  less  aggressive  than  the 
ministry,  but  by  reason  of  their  habits  and  condition 

51  ^ 


52  Riding  Elders'  Hand-hook. 

they  are  more  conservative.  They  are  not  likely  to  be 
' '  tossed  about  with  every  wind  of  doctrine. ' '  They 
will  stick  to  one  thing  till  they  are  sure  of  a  better. 
Besides  this  they  stand  nearer  to  the  great  mass  of  the 
people  than  the  ministr}^  They  stand  nearer  to  the 
whole  church  in  doctrine  and  in  practice  than  the 
ministry.  The  ministry  have  become  in  a  large  measure 
a  class,  and  by  reason  of  their  training  and  professional 
affinities  they  flock  together.  Whatever  may  be  said 
against  the  elders  it  must  be  said  in  their  favor  that 
they  are  orthodox.  While  they  are  admitted  as  the 
equals  of  the  ministry  in  the  higher  courts,  the  church 
will  stand  where  they  do.  Their  stubborn  orthodoxy 
will  prevail. 

Every  church  should  be  represented  in  the  meetings 
of  the  presbytery.  Elders  should  take  a  lively  interest  in 
the  proceedings  when  present,  and  when  absent  should' 
seek  to  learn  what  was  done.  They  should  feel  that 
they  owe  a  ser^'ice  to  the  church  at  large  and  that  with 
what  wisdom  they  possess  they  should  further  the  work 
of  the  church.  Do  not  feel  that  you  go  to  presbytery 
merely  to  transact  the  business  pertaining  to  your  own 
church.  You  are  there  responsible  for  the  care  of  others 
and  to  transact  business  pertaining  to  the  grand  old 
church  upon  which  the  sun  never  sets. ,  Magnify  your 
office. 


PART  IL 

Law  and  Usage. 


INTRODUCTORY. 

This  is  not  a  "digest"  of  Presbyterian  law.  The 
writer  is  by  no  means  qualified  to  prejmre  such  a  work, 
nor  would  the  limits  of  this  little  volume  permit  its  in- 
troduction here.  However,  there  are  some  things 
needed  by  every  session,  in  order  that  its  work  may  go 
smoothly.  These  are  not  the  disputed  or  obscure 
points  of  law,  but  the  ordinary  laws  and  customs  of  ses- 
sions. It  is  desirable  that  all  sessions  proceed  by  meth- 
ods which  are  similar  in  the  transaction  of  business, 
and  by  so  doing  they  may  save  much  trouble  to  them- 
selves. 

We  have  endeavored  to  collect  in  the  following  pages 
a  brief  summary  of  these  laws,  sometimes  giving  their 
exact  language  and  at  other  times  in  condensed  form. 
We  trust  that  this  may  be  found  helpful  to  elders  in 
the  ordinary  discharge  of  their  duties.  In  more  doubt- 
ful and  difficult  questions  Moore's  Digest  of  Presbyte- 
rian Law,  or  Hodge's  "What  is  Presbyterian  Law," 
should  be  consulted.  But  in  all  questions  of  law  and 
usage  our  Form  of  Government  and  Book  of  Disci- 
pline, and  Director}^  for  Worship  should  be  carefully 
studied.  AVe  call  special  attention  to  Chapters  V, 
IX,  XIII,  XIX,  XXI,  of  the  Form  of  Government ; 
Chapters  I,  V,  VII,  IX,  XI,  XII,  of  Book  of  Disci- 
pline, and  Chapters  IX  and  X  of  the  Directory  for 
Worship.  A  careful  study  of  these  will  aid  any  elder 
in  the  discharge  of  the  duties  of  his  office. 

53 


CHAPTER  I. 


MEETINGS    OP    THE    SESSION. 


Meetings  of  the  session  are  either  regular  or  infor- 
mal, but  the  acts  of  the  latter  are  only  legalized  by  ap- 
proval of  a  regular  meeting,  and  must  be  recorded  with 
its  minutes. 

The  Assembly  recommends  that  all  church  sessions 
hold  monthly  meetings.  The  session  may  be  convened 
at  any  time  by  the  call  of  the  moderator,  or  he  must 
convene  it  at  the  request  of  two  members  of  session,  or 
upon-  the  order  of  the  presbytery. 

The  usual  place  of  meeting  is  the  church,  but  any 
convenient  place  may  be  selected  for  any  meeting  with- 
out affecting  the  legality  of  the  proceedings.  The 
pastor  is  "  ex-officio  "  moderator  of  the  session.  The 
presl)ytery  is  "  pastor  "  of  a  vacant  church,  and  a  mem- 
ber of  the  presbytery  is  appointed  moderator  of  the 
session.  He  stands  in  the  same  legal  relation  to  the 
session  and  the  congregation  as  a  pastor.  Every  meet- 
ing of  the  session  should  be  held  under  his  direction. 
Only  when  it  is  impracticable  by  reason  of  sickness,  or 
distance  or  other  cause,  should  another  be  invited  to 
preside,  and  then  "only  a  minister  of  the  same  pres- 
bytery" may  do  so.  However,  it  is  proper  for  one  of 
the  elders  to  preside  in  the  absence  of  a  minister.  "  It 
is  not  lawful  to  invite  a  minister  of  another  presbytery 
to  preside  at  meetings  of  the  session." 

The  moderator  of  the  session,  whether  he  be  the 
pastor  of  the  church  or  be  appointed  l)y  the  presby- 

54 


lUdiiuj  KUlcrs    JI((itd-0(MjL.  -jo 

tery,  is  a  member  of  the  session,  with  all  the  authority 
tliat  belongs  to  the  office. 

"Two  elders,  if  there  be  as  many  in  the  congregation, 
with  the  pastor,  shall  be  necessary  to  constitute  a 
quorum."  But  the  pastor  and  one  elder  is  a  quorum 
where  there  is  but  one  elder,  or  when  all  other  elders 
are  non-resident  and  their  residence  unknown. 

Each  meeting  of  the  session  should  be  opened  and 
closed  with  prayer,  and  record  made  of  the  fact. 

The  names  of  those  present  and  those  absent  should 
be  recorded. 

The  following  '  'order  of  business' '  is  suggested  for 
the  use  of  sessions  : 

1.  Session  opened  with  prayer. 

2.  ^lake  roll  and  note  absentees. 

3.  Reception   of  members   by    profession   and   by 
certificate. 

4.  Reports  of  committees  previously  appointed. 

5.  Dismissions  by  letter  to  other  churches. 

6.  Conference  as  to  negligent  or  offending  members 
of  the  church. 

7.  Conference  as  to  spiritual  needs  of  the  church. 

8.  Business  connected  with  the  Sabbath  school. 

9.  The  Boards  of  the  church. 

10.  The  music  of  the  church. 

11.  The  various  societies  of  the  church. 

12.  Arrangement  for  the  Sacrament  of  the  Lord's 
Supper. 

13.  Election  of  representative  to  presbytery. 

14.  Prepare  statistical  report  to  presbytery  '^  before 
April  meeting  of  presbytery. ' ' 


Riding  Elders'   Hand-hook.  56 

15.  Prepare  narrative  of  the  state  of  religion,  ' '  before 
April  meeting  of  presbytery. ' ' 

16.  Revise  church  roll.  (See  Book  of  Discipline, 
Chap.  VII,  49,  50,  52.) 

17.  Read  and  correct  minutes. 

18.  Close  meeting  with  prayer. 

In  the  transaction  of  business,  sessions  should  note 
the  following,  which  embodies  recent  deliverances  of 
the  Assembly  on  various  subjects  : 

^^It  is  not  regular  to  grant  a  letter  of  dismission  to  a 
member  of  the  church  otherwise  than  by  a  vote  of  the 
session  regularly  called. "  But  ' '  there  is  nothing  in  the 
Form  of  Government  to  invalidate  the  custom  of  au- 
thorizing by  a  vote  of  session  its  moderator  or  stated 
clerk  to  issud  letters  in  the  interim  of  meetings  of  the 
session  to  members  who  are  in  good* standing  and  to 
report  such  dismissions  to  the  session  at  its  next  meet- 
ing." - 

All  reports  filled  out  by  the  session  to  be  sent  to  the 
higher  courts  of  the  church  are  to  be  signed  '  ^  by  order 
of  the  session." 

^'The  General  Assembly  (1893)  takes  notice  that  the 
exclusive  authority  of  the  session  over  the  worship  of 
the  church,  including  not  only  the  time  and  place  of 
preaching  the  word,  but  also  the  music  and  the  use  of 
church  buildings,  is  not  sufficiently  appreciated  by  the 
church  at  large,  and  that  there  are  frequent  complaints 
that  trustees  of  congregations  assume  powers  and  au- 
thority, especially  over  music  and  the  use  of  church 
buildings,  which  are  not  warranted  by,  b  t  in  conflict 
with  the  constitution  of  the  church. ' ' 


Kn/iiii/   i'Jdrrs     lldnd-hook.  57 

The  Assembly  enjoins  upon  the  churches  loyal  ad- 
herence to  our  Form  of  Government,  providing  that 
"  the  authority  of  the  session  over  all  matters  of  wor- 
ship is  paramount,  and  at  the  same  time  recommends 
that  all  such  questions  be  treated  with  Christian  tact 
and  courtesy,  in  the  spirit  of  love  and  f orljcarance. " 

' '  This  Assembly  (1884)  leaves  to  each  session  the  deli- 
cate and  important  matter  of  arranging  and  conduct- 
ing the  music,  as  to  them  shall  seem  most  to  edifica- 
tion, recommending  great  caution,  prudence  and  for- 
Dearance  in  regard  to   it." 

"Pastors  and  sessions  are  urged  (1883)  to  jDut  forth 
practical  and  persistent  efforts  to  enlist  their  entire  con- 
gregations in  systematic  Bible  study  and  teaching  m 
connection  with  the  Sabbath  school. ' ' 

"The  General  Assembly  (1883)  emphasizes  the  duty 
of  church  sessions  to  exercise  supervision  over  their 
Sabbath  schools,  especially  in  the  choice  of  officers  and 
teachers." 

"  In  the  judgment  of  the  General  Assembly  (1883) 
greater  prominence  should  be  given  in  Sabbath  school 
contributions  to  the  causes  represented  by  our  Boards, 
that  the  scholars  may  be  educated  to  give  intelligently 
to  each  always. ' ' 

The  Assembly  (1881)  directs  church  sessions  to 
exercise  greater  care  in  preserving  accurate  rolls  of 
their  baptized  children  who   are    not    communicants. 

"The  essential  elements  in  the  Lord's  Supper  are 
bread  and  wine.  The  General  Assembly  (1881)  has 
always  recognized  the  right  of  sessions  to  determine 
what  is  bread  and  what  is  wine. ' ' 


58  lialutg  Elders    lland-bouk, 

^^It  is  the  sense  of  this  Assembly  (1895)  that  unfer- 
mented  fruit  of  the  vine  fulfills  every  condition  in  the 
celebration  of  the  sacrament. ' ' 

The  Assembly  (1885)  says  :  ''Inasmuch  as  the 
members  of  sessions  are  the  judges  of  the  qualifica- 
tions of  those  to  be  admitted  to  the  scaling  ordinances, 
and  the  reception  of  such  is  their  act,  the  examina- 
tion of  candidates  ought  manifestly  to  be  in  their 
presence,  unless  in  special  cases  of  sickness  or  other 
hindrance,  when  this  duty  may  be  performed  by  a  com- 
mittee, under  direction  of  the  session. ' ' 

Minutes  (1875):  ''The  vahdity  of  Roman  Catholic 
baptism  is  left  to  the  judgment  of  sessions."  "The 
General  Assembly  (1891)  reaffirms  the  dehverances  of 
past  Assemblies  on  th-e  subject  of  worldly  amuse- 
ments, ' '  and  declares  ' '  church  sessions  fully  competent 
to  decide  when  and  how  far  discipline  should  be  exer- 
cised."  But  (1895)  "Xo  new  terms  of  communion 
are  to  be  created  by  sessions." 

A  certificate  of  dismission  is  valid  ordinarily  for 
only  one  year  after  its  date.  A  certificate  must  be 
addressed  to  a  particular  church. 

A  certificate  of  dismission  granted  to  one  who  has 
been  absent  from  the  community  for  a  length  of  time 
should  only  certify  to  the  Christian  conduct  of  the  per- 
son up  to  the  date  of  his  leaving  the  community, 
unless  the  session  has  personal  knowledge  of  his 
conduct. 

"We  suggest  that  this  Assembly  (1891)  most 
emphatically  request  the  sessions  of  our  various 
churches  to  provide  for  systematic  Biblical  instruction 


Raiuuj  Elders    Ilaad-book.  .">'.) 

in  the  Sabbath  schools  under  their  care  in  the  principles 
of  temperance  as  interpreted  by  our  church,  and  that 
such  instruction  be  given  each  quarterly  Sabbath." 

The  session  of  a  vacant  church  is  responsible  for  the 
supply  of  the  pulpit,  but  may  call  the  congregation 
together  at  any  time  to  decide  upon  questions  pertain- 
ing thereto.  After  the  opinion  of  the  congregation  has 
been  thus  secured,  it  should  be  the  basis  of  action  by 
the  session,  and  especially  if  any  particular  course  has 
been  ordered  by  vote  of  the  congregation,  such  order 
should  be  carefully  carried  out  by  the  session. 

As  trustees  or  deacons  are  generally  responsible  for 
raising  funds  to  pay  supplies  for  the  pulpit,  and  as 
they  are  frequently  embarrassed  in  their  work,  it  is 
very  important  that  they  be  consulted,  so  that  supplies 
procured  by  the  session  may  be  promptly  paid  by  the 
trustees. 

It  is  a  rule  worthy  of  note,  that  supplies  appointed 
by  presbytery  are  to  have  precedence  to  others,  and 
that  in  many  presbyteries  their  remuneration  is  fixed  by 
rule  of  the  presbytery.  Submission  to  presbyterial  over- 
sight is  the  first  duty  of  the  session  in  all  such  cases. 

It  ought  not  to  be  necessary  to  warn  sessions  of 
vacant  churches  against  the  employment  as  supplies  of 
men  who  appear  in  the  community  without  recom- 
mendations, with  no  ecclesiastical  connection,  submit- 
ting to  no  presbyterial  authority,  and  going  about  from 
place  to  place,  often  creating  dissension  in  churches, 
and  their  work  at  best  productive  of  little  good. 

Any  minister  of  the  Gospel  who  deserves  credentials 
can  easily  procure  them,  and  no  one  who  does  not  have 


6U  Ruling  Elders'  Hand-book. 

some  evidence  of  his  being  a  regular  and  acceptable 
minister  should  be  admitted  to  the  pulpit  by  any 
session. 

The  session  of  vacant  churches  should  make  earnest 
efforts  to  procure  contributions  to  all  the  Boards  of  the 
church.  It  often  seems  as  if  the  pastor  were  the  only 
one  responsible  for  this  work,  and  when  he  is  gone 
nothing  is  done.  Let  the  session  be  in  earnest  in  this 
matter,  and  see  that  no  work  of  the  church  is  stopped 
that  can  be  carried  on  without  the  pastor. 

The  session  of  a  vacant  church  should  be  very  careful 
to  have  a  representative  at  each  meeting  of  presbytery. 
Its  interests  are  considered  by  the  presbytery,  and  it  is 
difficult  to  do  the  best  for  a  church  when  its  needs  can 
only  be  surmised. 

Many  a  church  loses  the  sympathy  of  presbytery, 
and  loses  its  own  interest  in  the  work  of  the  church  at 
large  by  failure  to  send  an  elder  to  presbytery.  Go  to 
presbytery  prepared  to  tell  what  you  need,  and  what 
your  plans  may  be,  and  the  most  careful  attention  will 
be  paid  to  your  interests,  and  your  church  will  be 
strengthened  by  this  attention. 

The  constant  effort  of  the  session  of  every  vacant 
church  should  be  to  procure  a  pastor,  and  no  effort 
should  be  spared  to  accomplish  this  end.  In  order  to 
accomplish  this,  there  should  be  frequent  communica- 
tion with  other  churches  of  the  same  pastoral  charge, 
and  co-operation  with  them  in  procuring  supplies  with 
a  pastoral  settlement  in  view. 

The  session  should  also  confer  with  the  presbyterial 
committee  on   supplies,   or   of    vacant  churches   and 


Rulliuj  KhUr.s    llaii(l-l)()()k.  Gl 

unemployed  ministers,  as  the  case  may  be,  with  a  view 
to  securing  ministers  to  supply  the  2:)ul2:)it  who  may  be' 
acceptal)le  or  avaihible  as  pastors. 

The  Assembly  of  1895  decided  that  a  church  with  a 
stated  supply  is  a  ''vacant  church."  Such  sup])ly,  in 
order  to  be  the  legal  moderator  of  session  should  be 
appointed  by  the  presbytery. 

The  stated  supply  system  is  an  irregularity,  and  not 
a  part  of  our  system.  Sessions  should  insist  on  the 
consummation  of  the  pastoral  relation  as  being  the  only 
legal,  and  the  more  permanent  method,  the  method  by 
which  the  relation  of  congregation  and  minister  is 
placed  under  the  control  of  the  presbytery  that  has 
oversight  of  both. 


CHAPTER  II. 

MEETINGS   OF   THE   CONGREGATION. 

Meetings  of  the  congregation  are  of  two  kinds:  those 
which  are  called  by  and  are  under  the  control  of  the 
session,  and  those  which  have  to  do  with  the  financial 
aSairs  of  the  church,  which  may  be  called  by  the 
trustees  or  deacons  and  may  be  under  their  direction. 
The  duties  of  the  latter  are  determined  by  the  charter  or 
the  usage  of  the  church.  Their  objects  are,  the  elec- 
tion of  trustees,  the  annual  business  meeting,  where 
reports  of  finances  are  heard,  and  plans  for  the  future 
are  laid,  and  matters  pertaining  solely  to  church 
property,  such  as  repairs,  imi:)rovements  and  new  build- 
ings. Even  these  are  subject  to  the  direction  of  the 
session  and  are  frequently  called  by  order  of  the  session. 
It  is  perhaj^s  a  safe  rule  to  follow,  that  all  meetings  of 
the  congregation  not  definitely  provided  for  by  the 
charter  of  a  particular  congregation  are  under  the 
direction  of  and  are  called  by  the  session. 

At  the  business  or  financial  meetings  of  the  congi'ega- 
tion  it  is  i^roj^er  that  the  president  of  ,the  board  of 
trustees  should  preside,  or  that  a  presiding  officer  be 
elected  by  the  congregation,  but  at  all  other  meetings  it 
is  the  duty  of  the  moderator  of  the  session  to  preside 
and  the  clerk  of  the  session  to  act  as  clerk  of  the  meeting. 

"The  pastor  of  a  church  is,  by  reason  of  his  office, 
the  moderator  of  a  meeting  of  the  communicants  of  his 
church  called  to   elect  ruling  elders  and  deacons,  and 

62 


Ruling  Elders^  I  land-hook.  63 

this  also  applies  to  regularly  appointed  moderators  of 
Ressioiia  who  are  not  pastors."     (1886). 

A  meeting  of  the  congregation  to  elect  a  pastor  or 
elders  or  deacons,  or  to  act  upon  a  request  for  dissolution 
of  a'  pastoral  relation  must  be  called  by  the  session, 
and  the  ofiicers  of  the  session  are  its  officers. 

In  acting  upon  a  request  for  the  dissolution  of  a 
pastoral  relation  it  is  not  customary  for  the  minister  to 
preside.  In  such  cases  the  session  may  invite  a 
neighboring  minister  to  do  so,  or  the  congregation, 
being  assembled,  may  elect  one  of  their  own  number  to 
preside. 

In  a  meeting  of  the  congregation  to  elect  ruling  elders, 
the  session  must  call  the  meeting  and  conduct  the  elec- 
tion. They  may  also  determine  the  number  to  be 
elected,  and  nominate  those  whom  they  think  suitable 
for  the  office;  they  may  appoint  of  their  own  number  or 
of'  others  the  tellers  in  the  election,  but  doubtful  ballots 
should  be  referred  to  the  session. 

A  full  record  of  such  meeting  should  bo  made  by  the 
clerk  of  the  session  and  reported  by  him  to  the  next 
meeting  of  the  session,  and  the  facts  therein  contained 
should  be  incorporated  with  the  minutes  of  that  meet- 
ing of  the  session. 

In  a  meeting  for  the  election  of  elders  or  deacons  the 
following  order  may  be  used  : 

1.  Call  to  order  and  open  by  prayer. 

2.  Recite  to  the  congregation  previous  action  of  the 
session  and  object  of  the  meeting. 

3.  Determine  the  number  to  be  elected. 

4.  Nominations. 


64  Ruling  Ehhrs*   Hand-hook. 

5.  Determine  how  the  vote  shall  be  taken. 

6.  DeteiTQine  who  are  entitled  to  vote. 

7.  Appoint  tellers. 

8.  Receive  and  count  the  ballots. 

9.  Announce  result  of  the  election. 

10.  Read  minutes  of  the  meeting. 

11.  Adjourn  with  prayer. 

It  is  customary  and  very  desirable  that  in  congrega- 
tional meetings  for  the  purpose  of  caUing  a  pastor  to 
^'invite  some  neighljoring  minister  to  preside,"  but  for 
the  convenience  of  those  who  must  conduct  such  meet- 
ings without  a  minister,  the  following  suggestions  are 
made  here : 

The  session  must  take  foniial  action,  calling  the  con- 
gregation to  meet  for  the  purjjose  of  calling  a  j)astor. 

Announcement  for  this  action  must  be  made  ' '  on  a 
Lord's  day,"  the  time-  and  place  of  the  meeting  being 
distinctly  designated. 

The  following  order  should  be  followed  in  the  meet- 
ing of  the  congregation  : 

1.  Open  with  prayer. 

2.  See  that  meeting  has  been  properly  called. 
(Form  of  Government,  Chap.  XV,  Sec.  I.) 

3.  ^Vho  have  the  right  to  vote  for  pastor.  (Form 
of  Government,  Chap.  XV,  Sec.  IV. ) 

4.  Is  the  congregation  ready  to  proceed  to  election 
of  a  pastor  ?     Decide  by  vote. 

5.  Election  and  announcement  of  result. 

6.  Fix  amount  of  salary,  and  manner  of  payments. 

7.  Decide  who  shall  sign  the  call. 


Ruling  Elders^   Jin  mJ -hook.  G5 

8.  Appoint  commissioners  to  prosecute  tlic  call. 

9.  Endorsement  of  the  call  by  presiding  ofiicer, 
certifying  that  meeting  wa.s  regularly  called,  whether 
the  call  was  unanimous  or  not,  who  were  to  sign  the 
call,  etc. 

Sessions  should  by  all  means  avoid  congregational 
meetings  on  the  Sabbath. 

The  session  may  authorize  the  election  of  the  officers 
of  the  Sal)bath  school  by  the  school  itself,  or  by  the 
teachers  and  adult  members  of  the  school,  but  all  such 
action  is  subject  to  review  and  reversal  by  the  session. 

'  •  The  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States  has  settled 
the  question  that  in  the  use  of  church  property  for  all 
religious  purposes  or  ecclesiastical  uses,  the  trustees  are 
under  the  control  of  the  session.  The  General  Assem- 
bly has  also  declared  that  in  any  case  of  conflict  between 
the  session  and  trustees  the  first  appeal  is  to  be  taken 
to  the  people  of  the  congregation,  and,  if  necessary, 
then  to  the  civil  tribunals. 

In  every  congregation  it  is  important  that  a  definite 
arrangement  be  made  as  to  control  of  funds.  It  would 
seem  that  the  session  has  the  control  of  the  funds  of 
the  Sabbath  school  and  also  of  the  Contributions  for  the 
boards  of  the  church.  But  an  agreement  between  ses- 
sion and  trustees  or  deacons  should  be  made,  so  that 
their  time  of  taking  contributions  does  not  conflict,  and 
so  that  the  expense  of  the  Sabbath  school  be  provided 
for  either  out  of  its  own  contributions  or  out  of  the 
funds  controlled  by  the  session.  The  session  is  the 
congregation  in  its  organized  capacity,  and  it  may  con- 
tract debts  in  providing  suppjlies  for  the  Sablxith  school 


66  Riding  Elders^  Hand-book. 

or  books  for  the  congregation,  and  the  trustees  are 
bound  to  jDay  them.  But  a  definite  agreement  is 
far  better,  so  that  it  is  understood  who  is  to  provide  for 
each  item  purchased  and  who  has  control  of  each  con- 
tribution taken.  All  '^ receipts  and  expenditures," 
whether  handled  by  trustees,  deacons  or  elders,  or  by 
the  societies  of  the  church,  should  be  included  in  the 
annual  -congregational  report  to  presbytery,  and  also 
carefully  rej^orted  to  the  congregation  itself. 


CHAPTER  III. 

OTHER   MEETINGS. 

1.  Of  Church  Societies. — There  are  in  every  congre- 
gation, societies,  duly  organized,  which  prove  great 
helpers  in  the  work  of  the  church.  There  seems  to  be 
no  law  of  the  church  governing  them,  and  it  is  a  happy 
condition  that  at  tlie  present  time  no  law  seems  to  be 
needed.  As  a  matter  of  fact,  such  societies  are  under 
the  super\dsion  of  the  session,  but  we  have  never  heard 
of  a  session  that  exercised  its  right  of  ^'review  and  con- 
trol. ' '  However,  it  is  known  that  certain  abuses  are 
likely  to  creep  into  churches  through  these  societies, 
and  it  is  proper  to  make  a  few  suggestions  here  that 
may  be  helpful  in  the  management  of  this  branch  of 
Christian  work. 

All  such  societies  should  be  considered  as  the  church 
in  its  working  capacity,  and  it  will  not  be  an  unreason- 
able application  of  Rule  71,  Book  of  Discipline,  to  re- 
gard their  proceedings  as  proper  subject  for  review  by 
the  session. 

These  societies  should  understand  that  in  all  their 
undertakings  the  session  should  be  consulted,  and 
especially  so  when  entertainments,  fairs  and  suppers  of 
a  questionable  character  are  proposed.  The  session 
may  leave  the  responsibility  with  these  societies,  but 
it  would  seem  better  if  in  every  case  they  were  to  take 
the  responsibility  directly,  either  lending  their  endorse- 
ment or  withholding  it,  according  to  their  judgment. 
In  so  doing  a  safeguard  would  be  thrown  around   the 

67 


QS  Riding  Elders]  Hand-book. 

work  of  the  church,  and  the  session  would  receive  re- 
cognition as  the  spiritual  adviser  of  all. 

The  Assembly  of  1893  calls  "fairs  and  suppers,  and 
similar  unbiblical  and  secularizing  expedients,  make- 
shifts for  filling  the  treasury  of  the  Lord. ' '  If  this  be 
true,  sessional  oversight  is  important. 

It  would  be  well  to  require  each  society  to  make  a 
report  once  a  year  of  its  proceedings,  and  to  make  a 
record  of  their  work  in  the  minutes  of  the  session. 

2.  Of  Trustees  and  Deacons. — The  work  of  trustees 
and  deacons  is  so  closely  identified  with  that  of  the 
session  that  each  should  be  informed  of  the  work  of  the 
other.  The  session  should  report  its  plans  to  trustees 
and  deacons  so  far  as  connected  with  their  work,  and 
on  the  other  hand  they  should  keep  the  session  fully 
informed  as  to  their  plans  and  work. 

While  the  session  has  charge  of  supplying  the  jjulpit, 
the  control  of  the  choir,  and  of  the  Sabbath  school,  the 
trustees  or  deacons  have  control  of  the  funds  from 
which  expenses  are  to  be  met.  Harmonious  co-oper- 
ation will  make  all  go  smoothly,  and  by  frequent  con- 
sultation and  definite  plans  the  best  results  will  be 
obtained. 

3.  Of  Secular  Meetings. — Occasionally  a  church  is 
so  situated  in  a  community  that  there  is  a  demand 
for  the  edifice  for  meetings  not  strictly  religious  ;  some- 
times educational,  sometimes  even  political. 

Ordinarily  trustees  may  decide,  but  it  is  better  that 
the  session  be  consulted,  as  the  spiritual  interests  of  a 
community  are  often  involved  in  such  meetings.     It  is 


Riding  Eldei'6    Hand-book.  09 

a  common  method  in  some  places  for  propagating 
heresy,  and  I  liave  known  serious  injury  to  cliurches 
in  this  way.  The  session  should  be  the  judj^e,  and 
should  exercise  extreme  care  as  to  the  use  of  church 
property. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

EOTARY    OR   TERM    ELDERSHIP. 

The  office  of  ruling  elder  is  lifelong.  But  there  is 
a  distinction  made  between  the  office  and  the  exercise 
of  its  functions.  By  act  of  the  General  Assembly  of 
1876  a  section  was  added  to  the  Fonn  of  Government, 
which  declares :  "If  any  particular  church,  by  a  vote 
of  members  in  full  communion,  shall  prefer  to  elect 
ruhng  elders  for  a  limited  time,  in  the  exercise  of 
their  functions  this  may  be  done,  provided  the  full 
term  be  not  less  than  three  years,  and  the  session  be 
made  to  consist  of  three  classes,  one  of  which  only 
shall  be  elected  every  year." 

This  somewhat  ambiguous  declaration  has  required 
explanation,  the  sum  of  which  we  give  here  : 

A  meeting  of  the  congregation  to  effect  the  change 
from  the  permanent  to  the  term  system  must  be  called 
by  the  session  or  by  the  jijresbytery. 

Elders  in  office  cease  to  act  when  others  are  elected, 
but  of  course  they  are  ehgible  to  re-election.  They 
may  also  be  appointed  to  i^present  the  church  in  th(? 
higher  courts,  and  may,  on  in\itation  of  the  session, 
assist  at  the  communion  table. 

In  the  rotary  system  there  must  be  three  classes,  and 
the  full  term  must  be  three  years.  In  introducing  the 
system  the  classes  are  to  be  formed  by  electing  some 
for  one  year,  some  for  two  years  and  some  for  three 
years.  Vacancies  in  any  class  may  be  filled  at  any 
time  by   choosing   j^ersous    for    the   unexpired   term. 

70 


RuJiiKj  FJiln-s'  ll<tiul-h(><>k.  71 

Wlu'ii  the  iuinil)t'r  of  eklcr.s  is  to  l)e  increased  this  is 
done  by  adding  persons  to  each  class,  those  cliosen  for 
less  than  three  years  being  elected  for  only  part  of  the- 
"full  term." 

An  elder  not  re-elected  at  the  end  of  his  term  is  still 
an  elder,  but  not  in  official  relation  to  the  congregation. 
He  is  not  to  be  enrolled  with  the  session  or  rejDorted  to 
the  presbytery. 


CHAPTER  V. 

SESSIONAL    RECORDS. 

[The  following  forms  for  Sessional  Records  are  given,  both 
for  the  guidance  of  the  Clerk  in  'preparing  his  records,  and 
for  the  guidance  of  Sessions  in  transacting  business.'] 

I.      Ordinary   Business. 

E ,  January  1,  18 — . 

Pursuant  to  the  callof  the  moderator,  the  session 
met  in  the  church,  and  Avas  opened  with  prayer. 
Present,  the  Rev.  M.  J. ,  moderator. 
Mr.  C.  P.  H., 
''    G.  P., 
''    AV.  S.  L., 
"    I.  K.,  elders. 
Absent,  Dr.  L.  J.  and  Mr.  M.  N. 
The  minutes  of  the  last  meeting  were  read  and  ap- 
proved. 

Mr.  H.  gave  his  reason  for  being  absent  from  the  last 
meeting  of  the  session  ;  which  was  sustained. 

L.  M.  and  C.  his  wife,  and  N.  O-^ appeared  before  the 
session  as  candidates  for  admission  to  the  full  commun- 
ion of  the  church,  and  0.  R.  and  Mrs.  S.  (both  unbap- 
tized). 

They  were  severally  examined  respecting  their  experi- 
mental knowledge  of  the  religion  of  Jesus  Christ,  and 
the  examination  being  deemed  satisfactory,  they  were 
admitted  into  full  communion  of  the  church,  and  it  was 
ordered  that  on  next  Sabbath  the  sacrament  of  baptism 
be  administered  to  0.  R.  and  Mrs.  S. 

72 


Raliny  Eldci'fi^   Jliiiul-hook.  7o 

A.  W.  R.  presented  a  certificate  of  dismission  from 

the church.     It  was  found  in  order,  and  he 

was  received  into  membership  of  this  church. 

J.  C.  E.  was,  at  his  own  request,  granted  a  certificate 
of  dismission  to  tlie church  of . 

W.  S.  L.  reported  that  he  had  attended  the  meeting 

of  presbytery  at ,  and  presented  the  reports 

of  this  cliurch  to  the  presbytery. 

The  moderator,  and  A.  P.  and  J.  A.  "W.  were  ap- 
pointed a  committee  to  rearrange  our  scheme  for  taking 
collections  to  the  boards  of  the  church,  and  to  devise 
means  of  increasing  the  offerings  of  the  congregation  to 
these  objects. 

The  statistical  report  of  the  congregation  was  pre- 
pared and  ordered  sent  to  presbytery.     It  is  as  follows  : 

S.  H.  was  appointed  to  represent  the  congregation  at 

the  next  meeting  of  presbytery  at  ,  and  A. 

P.  was  ap2:)ointed  his  alternate. 

There  being  no  other  business,  session  adjourned  and 
was  closed  with  prayer.  A.   P.,   Clerk. 

II.  Minute  Respecting  the  Election  '  of  Additional 
Elders. 

The  subject  of  an  increase  in  the  number  of  elders  in 
this  church  was  taken  up,  and  after  due  consideration, 
it  was  unanimously  resolved : 

1st.  That  it  is  the  judgment  of  the  session  that  the 
welfare  of  this  church,  and  the  interests  of  religion  in 
our  bounds,  render  it  exj^edient  that  the  number  of 
elders  be  increased  without  delay. 

2d.  That  session  hereby  recommends  the  congrega-- 
tion  to  elect additional  elders. 


*4  RnHity  K(dcr6     Hand-book. 

3d.  The  moderator  is  hereljy  directed  to  call  a  meet- 
ing of  the  congregation,  to  be  held  in  the  church  on  the 
day  of ,  for  the  purpose  of  elect- 
ing   persons  to  the  office  of  ruling  elder. 

4th.  The  session  hereby  instructs  the  stated  clerk 
of  session  to  place  in  nomination  at  the  meeting  of  the 
congregation,  the  following  persons  as  being  in  our 
deliberate  and  cordial  judgment  specially  fitted  for  the 
office  :  A.  P.  F. ,  J.  C.  and  N.  J.  It  is  understood, 
however,  that  other  nominations  may  be  made  by  mem- 
bers of  the  congregation  when  assembled  to  hold  the 
election. 

5th.  That  there  be  no  confusion  in  the  election,  the 
session  calls  attention  to  the  rule  "that  only  commu- 
nicant members  of  the  church  have  a  right  to  vote. ' ' 

6th.     The  vote  shall,  be  by  ballot. 

7th.  The  following  persons  shall  act  as  tellers  in 
the  election  :    A.  P.,  W.  S.  L  and  G.  B.  P. 

8th.  Doubtful  and  disj^uted  ballots  shall  be  referred 
to  the  session,  and  they  shall  decide  as  to  their  validity. 

9th.  A  majority  of  the  votes  cast  shall  be  necessary 
to  an  election. 

10th.     Those  elected  by  the  congregation,  if  the  way 

be  clear,  shall  be  ordained  and  installed  on  the  

Sabbath  of . 

III.     New  Elders  Introduced. 

At  the  first  meeting  of  the  session  after  newly  elected 
elders  have  been  ordained  and  installed,  the  following 
minute  should  be  made  : 


Riilinc/  Elders^   Hand-book.  7o 

The  brethren  who  were  recently  elected  to  the  odice 
of  ruling  elder  V)y  this  congregation,  having  been 
ordained  by  tlie  laying  on  of  hands,  and  duly  installed 

as   elders   in   this   church,   on  the day   of 

,  were  welcomed  to  their  seats  as  members 

of  the  session,  and  their  names  em-oiled,  as  follows  : 


N.  J.,  havin'jj  refused  the  6ffice,  ^vas  not  ordained. 

IV.     Minute    Respecting    the     Temporary    Supply     of    a 
Vacant  Pulpit. 

The  joulpit  of  this  church  having  been  made  vacant 

by  the of  our  pastor,   it  has  become   the 

duty  of  the  session  to  provide  for  the  regular  mainte- 
nance of  the  ordinances  of  public  worship  until  God 
shall  send  to  us  another  pastor  in  whom  the  hearts  of 
'th.e  congregation  may  unite.     It  is  therefore 

Resolved,  That  W.  A.  W.  and  C.  P.  H.  take  charge 
of  the  mid-week  prayer  meeting,  and  that  until  minis- 
terial supplies  may  be  procured,  W.  S.  S.  and  J.  A. 
W.  conduct  the  Sabbath  service  as  shall  to  them  seem 
to  the  edification  of  the  people. 

That  the  committee  on  supplies  request  the  presby- 
tery at  its  next  meeting  to  appoint  supplies  for  our 
pulpit  for  the Sabbath  of  each  month. 

That  if  the  trustees  shall  concur,  the  treasurer  of  the 
congregation  be  directed  to  pay  to  the  ministers  who 

may  occupy  the  pulpit  the  sum  of dollars  for  each 

Sabbath  service. 


76  Riding  Elder^^  Hand-book. 

V.  Minute  respecting  the  election  of  a  pastor.  [It  is  provided 
in  the  Form  of  Government,  Chap.  XV,  Sec.  I,  that  when  "the 
people  appear  prepared  to  elect  a  pastor,  the  session  shall  take 
measures  to  convene  them  for  the  purpose."  In  pursuance  of 
this  direction,  the  following  record  should  be  made  :] 

The  following  minute  was  adopted  : 

The  session,  having  reason  to  believe  that  the  people 
of  this  congregation  are  prepared  with  a  good  degree  of 
unanimity  to  elect  a  pastor,  adopted  the  following  reso- 
lutions, namely  : 

Resolved^  That  a  meeting  of  the  congregation,  for  the 

election  of  a  pastor,  be  held  in  the  church  on , 

;  and  that  the  notice  of  this  meeting  be  given 


from  the  pulpit  on  the  next  Sabbath,  in  accordance 
with  the  Form  of  Government,  Chap.  XV,  Sec.  III. 

Resolved^  That  the  stated  clerk  be  directed  to  invite 
the  Rev.  R.  A.  to  attend  the  meeting  of  the  congrega- 
tion, and  to  preside  in  the  proposed  election  of  a  pastor. 

Note. — The  minister  appointed  by  presbytery  as 
moderator  of  the  session  should  preside  if  possible,  but* 
if  not,  some  other  minister  of  the  same  presbytery. 

Note. — When  a  meeting  is  to  be  held  for  the  elec- 
tion of  a  pastor,  the  clerk  of  session  should  see  that  a 
call  in  blank,  written  or  printed,  is  procured,  so  that 
each  blank  may  be  properly  filled  and  signature  ap- 
pended. A  very  convenient  form  of  call  is  prepared 
l)y  our  Board  of  Publication,  and  can  be  secured  at  any 
of  the  depositories  of  the  Board. 

VI.  Record  of  an  installation.  (When  a  pastor  has 
been  installed  in  a  church,  due  record  should  be  made 
of  the  fact  in  the  minutes  of  the  session.  A  proper 
form  of  such  a  record  would  be  as  follo\vs): 


Jill/ ill!/   Khhis     Jldiiil-book.  77 

It  is  with  niiie]i  joy  that  tlie  session  makes  reeonl  of 

tlie  fact  that  on  day  of , 

the  presl)ytery  of installed  (or  ordained 

and  installed) as  pastor  of  this  church, 

under  most  encouraging  circumstances. 

In  the  service  Rev.  preached  a  sermon 

from ;  Rev. presided  and 

proi>ounded   the   usual   questions;  Rev.  

charged  the  pastor,   and    Rev.   ■ charged 

the  people. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

FORMS. 

I.  Rules  for  the  government  of  a  congregation.  [The 
following  form  for  the  government  of  a  congregation  is 
suggested  as  a  guide  in  preparing  the  business  of  the 
church.  It  may  also  serve  as  '  'Articles  of  Incorpora- 
tion," where  churches  apj)ly  for  a  charter.  But  where 
such  application  is  made,  legal  counsel  should  be  taken 
so  that  it  may  be  conformed  to  the  law  of  the  State  in 
which  the  church  is  situated.  The  State  laws  vary  so 
that  no  specific  form  can  be  given.] 

Rules  for  the  government  of  — Presbyte- 
rian church. 

Preliminary  declaration.     We,  the  members  of 

Presbyterian  church,  having  been  duly  organ- 


ized by  the  presbytery  of  ,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  providing  and  maintaining  the  public  worship 
of  God,  in  conformity  with  the  ' '  Confession  of  Faith ' ' 
and  "  Directory  for  Worship,"  and  being  subject  to  the 
^'Form  of  Government"  and  ''Discipline"  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America, 
do  adopt  the  following  rules  for  the  government  of  the 
affairs  of  the  congregation  : 

I.  Name.  The  corporate  name  of  this  organization 
shall  be Presbyterian  church  of  ( . ) 

II.  Officers.  The  officers  of  this  congregation  shall 
be  the  session,  a  board  of  deacons  and  a  board  of 
(nine)  trustees. 

78 


Ruling  Elders    Iland-honh.  7S 

III.  Elections.  1.  Ruling  elders  and  deacons  shall 
be  elected  according  to  the  plan  adopted  by  the  congre- 
gation, in  conformity  with  the  ''  Form  of  Government." 

2.  Trustees  shall  be  elected  for  a  term  of  (three) 
years,  (three)  of  the  number  being  elected  (each)  year. 

3.  All  elections  shall  be  by  ballot,  and  a  majority  oi 
the  votes  cast  shall  be  necessary  to  an  election. 

4.  All  supporters  may  vote  for  trustees,  but  only 
communicants  may  vote  for  ruling  elders  and  deacons. 

5.  Any  member  of  the  church  shall  be  eligible  to 
hold  the  office  of  trustee. 

IV.  Trustees.  1.  The  officers  of  the  board  of  trust- 
ees shall  be  president,  secretary  and  treasurer.  They 
shall  be  elected  annually  by  the  board. 

2.  The  president  shall  preside  at  meetings  of  the 
board  and  at  meetings  of  the  congregation  which  per- 
tain to  its  financial  affairs. 

3.  The  secretary  shall  keep  a  full  record  of  the 
proceedings  of  the  board  and  of  the  financial  meetings 
of  the  congregation.  He  shall  receive  and  keep 
account  of  all  contributions  of  the  congregation,  and 
shall  turn  money  over  to  the  treasurer  and  receive  a 
receipt  therefor. 

4.  The  treasurer  shall  have  the  custody  of  all 
money  raised  for  the  use  of  the  congregation.  He  shall 
pay  out .  money  only  upon  the  order  of  the  trustees, 
and  shall  report  quarterly  to  the  board  as  to  the  condi- 
tion of  the  treasury. 

5.  Five  members  of  the  board  shall  constitute  a 
quorum. 


80  Ruling  Elders^  Hand-book. 

6.  Vacancies  may  be  filled  l)y  appointment  of  the 
board  until  the  next  (annual)  election. 

V.  Meetings.     1.      The    (annual)    meeting   for   the 

election   of  trustees   shall    be   held   on  the day 

of .      At  this  meeting  the  trustees  shall  make 

a  full  report  of  the  finances  of  the  congregation,  to- 
gether with  any  estimates  for  the  coming  year  that  they 
may  deem  advisable. 

2.  Special  meetings  for  the  transaction  of  business 
pertaining  solely  to  the  financial  affairs  of  the  church 
may  be  called  by  the  trustees. 

3.  All  other  meetings  of  the  congregation  shall  be 
under  the  direction  of  the  session. 

4.  The  benevolent  funds  of  the  church  and  all  funds 
belonging  to  the  Sabbath  school  or  any  society  of  the 
church,  shall  be  under  the  control  of  the  session. 

VI.  Amendments.  These  rules  may  be  amended 
at  any  regularly  called  meeting  of  the  congregation  by 
the  affirmative  votes  of  at  least  (two-fifths)  of  the 
communicant  membership  of  the-  church. 

2.       A    MODEL    FORM    FOR    THE    GOVERNMENT    OF  THE 
SABBATH  SCHOOL. 

I.  Xame.  The  name  of  this  Sabbath  school  shall 
be Presbyterian  Sabbath,  school. 

II.  Officers.  Tlie  officers  of  the  school  shall  be  a 
Superintendent,  Assistant  Superintendent,  Superintend- 
ent of  Primary  Department,  Secretary,  Treasurer,  and 
Librarian. 


Ruling  Elders^  Hand-hook.  81 

III.  Elections.  The  officers  shall  be  elected  l)y  the 
(session)  at  its  regular  meeting  in  (June)  and  shall 
serve  (one  year)  beginning  with  the  (first  Sabbath  of 
July.) 

IV.  Duties  of  Officers.  1.  The  Superintendc^nt  shall 
have  charge  of  the  opening  and  closing  exercises  and 
the  general  management  of  the  school. 

2.  The  Assistant  Superintendent  shall  have  charge 
of  tlie  teachers,  arrangement  of  classes,  division  of 
classes,  placing  new  scholars,  and  shall  take  charge  of 
the  school  in  the  absence  of  the  Superintendent. 

3.  The  Primary  School  Sui^erintendcnt  shall  have 
charge  of  the  Primary  school,  and  shall  be  aided  ])y  an 
Assistant  and  an  Organist  appointed  by  the  session. 

4.  The  Secretary  shall  receive  the  contributions  of 
the  school  and  keep  a  full  account  of  the  same,  turning 
rnoney  over  to  the  Treasurer.  He  shall  also  keep  a 
record  of  attendance  of  scholars  and  teachers,  and  make 
a  written  report  each  (quarter)  to  the  session. 

6.  The  Treasurer  shall  receive  all  money  of  the 
school  and  shall  pay  it  out  only  on  the  order  of  tlie 
session.  He  shall  report  to  the  session  at  the  end  of 
(each  quarter.) 

6.  The  Librarian  shall  have  charge  of  the  library 
and  of  such  periodicals  and  supplies  as  are  distributed 
in  the  school. 

V.  Sabbath  School  Committee.  The  session  shall 
appoint  a  committee  of  (three)  who  shall  be  known  as 
the  '  'Sablxith  School  Committee. ' ' 


82  Ruling  Elders^  Hand-book. 

The  duties  of  this  committee  shall  be  to  procure  all 
supplies  for  the  school ;  take  the  oversight  of  the  li- 
brary ;  suggest  persons  as  teachers  ;  recommend  to  the 
session  the  use  of  funds,  and  to  appoint  organist,  sing- 
ers and  all  assistants  in  the  school. 

VI.  Amendments.  These  rules  may  be  amended  at 
any  time  by  a  majority  vote  of  the  session. 


PART  III. 

Helps  in  the  Pastoral  Duties  of  the 
Ruling  Elder. 


INTRODUCTORY. 

The  following  Scripture  Lessons  have  been 
selected  for  the  use  of  elders  in  their  visits 
among  the  people.  This  book  is  made  in  size 
and  form  so  that  it  may  be  carried  in  the  pocket 
and  used  on  such  occasions.  By  a  little  study  of 
tlie  Lessons,  and  a  knowledge  of  the  special 
needs  of  the  families  visited,  it  may  be  made  use- 
ful. A  number  of  references  are  given  after  each 
subject,  so  that  variety  may  be  given  to  readings. 

The  Form  of  Service  in  burying  the  dead  is 
adapted  from  others  in  common  use  among  min- 
isters. It  is  introduced  here  in  order  that  elders 
may  have  at  hand  and  in  convenient  form  a 
tangible  help  in  comforting  the  bereaved  and  con- 
ducting the  funeral  service. 

The  Prayer  Meeting  Topics  are  introduced  to 
aid  elders  in  the  selection  of  suitable  topics  for 
meetings  which  they  may  be  called  upon  to  con- 
duct. AVe  have  given  a  large  number  with  suf- 
ficient variety  for  all  ordinary  occasions. 

83 


84  Ruling  Elders''  Hand-book. 

SCRIPTURE  LESSONS  FOR  USE  IN  FAMILY 

VISITATION. 

I.     Duties  of  Parents. 

Deuteronomy  6  :  1-9. 

Now  these  are  the  commandments,  the  statutes, 
and  the  judgments,  which  the  Lord  your  God 
commanded  to  teach  you,  that  ye  might  do  tJievi 
in  the  land  w^iither  ye  go  to  possess  it : 

That  thou  mightest  fear  the  Lord  thy  God,  to 
keep  all  his  statutes  and  his  commandments, 
which  I  command  thee,  thou,  and  thy  son,  and 
thy  son's  son,  all  the  days  of  thy  life  ;  and  that 
thy  days  may  be  prolonged. 

Hear  therefore,  0^  Israel,  and  observe  to  do  it  : 
that  it  may  be  well  with  thee,  and  that  ye  may 
increase  mightily,  as  the  Lord  God  of  thy  fathers 
hath  promised  thee,  in  the  land  that  floweth  with 
milk  and  honey. 

Hear,  0. Israel :  The  Lord  our  God  is  one  Lord: 

And  thou  shalt  love  the  Lord  thy  God  with  all 
thine  heart,  and  with  all  thy  soul,  and  with  all 
thy  might. 

And  these  words,  which  I  command  thee  this 
day,  shall  be  in  thine  heart : 

And  thou  shalt  teach  them  diligently  unto  thy 
children,  and  shalt  talk  of  them  when  thou  sittest 
in  thine  house,  and  when  thou  walkest  by  the 
way,  and  when  thou  liest  dow^n,  and  when  thou 
risest  up. 

And  thou  shalt  bind  them  for  a  sign  upon 
thine  hand,  and  they'shall  be  as  frontlets  between 
thine  eyes. 

And  thou  shalt  write  them  upon  the  posts  of 
thy  house,  and  on  thy  gates. 


Ruling  Elders^  lldnd-htutk.  85 

Ephesians  6  :   1-lS. 

Children,  obey  your  parents  in  the  Lord  :  for 
this  is  right. 

Honour  thy  father  and  mother ;  which  is  the 
.first  coniinandiuent  with  promise  ; 

That  it  may  be  well  with  thee,  and  thou  mayest 
live  long  on  the  earth. 

And,  ye  fathers  provoke  not  your  children  to 
wrath  :  but  bring  them  up  in  the  nurture  and 
admonition  of  the  Lord. 

Servants,  be  obedient  to  them  that  are  your 
masters  according  to  the  flesh,  with  fear  ami 
trembling,  in  singleness  of  your  heart,  as  unto 
Christ ; 

Not  with  eyeservice,  as  menpleasers  ;  but  as 
the  servants  of  Christ,  doing  the  will  of  God  from 
the  heart ; 

With  good  will  doing  service,  as  to  the  Lord, 
and  not  to  men  : 

Knowing  that  whatsoever  good  thing  any  man 
doeth,  the  same  shall  he  receive  of  the  Lord, 
whether  lie  he  bond  or  free. 

And,  ye  masters,  do  the  same  things  unto 
them,  forbearing  threatening  :  knowing  that  your 
Master  also  is  in  heaven  ;  neither  is  there  respect 
of  persons  with  him. 

Finally,  my  brethren,  be  strong  in  the  Lord, 
and  in  the  power  of  his  might. 

Put  on  the  whole  armour  of  God,  that  ye  may 
be  aV)le  to  stand  against  the  wiles  of  the  devil. 

For  we  wrestle  not  against  flesh  and  blood,  but 
against  principalities,  against  powers,  against  the 
rulers  of  the  darkness  of  this  world,  against 
spiritual  wickedness  in  high  places. 


S^  Ruling  Elders*  Hand-book. 

Wherefore  take  unto  you  the  whole  armour  of 
God,  that  ye  may  be  able  to  withstand  in  the  evil 
day,  and  having  done  all,  to  stand. 

Stand  therefore,  having  your  loins  girt  about 
with  truth,  and  having  on  the  breastplate  of 
righteousness  , 

And  your  feet  shod  with  the  preparation  of  the 
gospel  of  peace  ; 

Above  all,  taking  the  shield  of  faith,  wherewith 
ye  shall  be  able  to  quench  all  the  fiery  darts  of 
the  wicked. 

And  take  the  helmet  of  salvation,  and  the 
sword  of  the  Spirit,  which  is  the  word  of  God : 

Praying  always  with  all  prayer  and  supplica- 
tion in  the  Spirit,  and  watching  thereunto  with 
all  perseverance  and  supplication  for  all  saints  ; 

Also,  I  Samuel  3  :  1-18.     Genesis  48  :  1-22. 

II.     Where  there  are  Small  Children. 

Matthew  18  :  1-14. 

At  the  same  time  came  the  disciples  unto  Jesus, 
saying,  Who  is  the  greatest  in  the  kingdom  of 
heaven? 

And  Jesus  called  a  little  child  unto  him,  and 
set  him  in  the  midst  of  them. 

And  said,  Verily  I  say  unto  you,  Except  ye  be 
converted  and  become  as  little  children,  ye  shall 
not  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 

Whosoever  therefore  shall  humble  himself  as 
this  little  child,  the  same  is  greatest  in  the  king- 
dom of  heaven. 

And  whoso  shall  receive  one  such  little  child  in 
my  name  receiveth  me. 


Kali  ay   Kldcr.s     lland-book.  ^7 

But  whoso  shall  offend  one  of  these  little  ones 
which  believe  in  me,  it  were  better  for  him  that  a 
millstone  were  hanged  about  his  neck,  and  that  he 
were  drowned  in  the  depth  of  the  sea. 

Woe  unto  the  world  because  of  offences  !  for  it 
must  needs  be  that  offences  come  ;  but  woe  to  that 
man  by  whom  the  offence  cometli ! 

Wherefore  if  thy  hand  or  thy  foot  offend  thee, 
cut  them  off,  and  cast  tliein  from  thee  :  it  is  better 
for  thee  to  enter  into  life  halt  or  maimed,  rather 
than  having  two  hands  or  two  feet  to  be  cast  into 
everlasting  fire. 

And  if  thine  eye  offend  thee,  pluck  it  out,  and 
cast  it  from  thee :  it  is  better  for  thee  to  enter  into 
life  with  one  eye,  rather  than  having  two  eyes  to 
be  cast  into  hell  fire. 

Take  heed  that  ye  despise  not  one  of  these  little 
ones  ;  for  I  say  unto  you,  That  in  heaven  their 
angels  do  always  behold  the  face  of  my  Father 
which  is  in  heaven. 

For  the  Son  of  man  is  come  to  save  that  which 
was  lost. 

How  think  ye?  if  a  man  have  an  hundred  slieep, 
and  one  of  them  be  gone  astray,  doth  he  not  leave 
the  ninety  and  nine,  and  goeth  into  the  mountains, 
and  seeketh  that  which  is  gone  astray? 

And  if  so  be  that  he  find  it,  verily  I  say  unto 
you,  he  rejoiceth.  more  of  that  sheep,  than  of  the 
ninety  and  nine  which  went  not  astray. 

Even  so  it  is  not  the  will  of  your  Father  which  is 
in  heaven,  that  one  of  these  little  ones  should 
perish. 

Also,  Luke  2  :  40-52  ;  I  John  :  1-14. 


S8  Rtdiiig  Eldevii    Hand-book. 

Proverbs  4  :  1-15. 

Hear,  ye  children,  the  instruction  of  a  father, 
and  attend  to  know  understanding, 

For  I  give  you  good  doctrine,  forsake  ye  not  my 
law. 

For  I  was  my  father's  son,  tender  and  only  he- 
loved  in  the  sight  of  my  mother. 

He  taught  me  also,  and  said  unto  me.  Let  thine 
heart  retain  my  words  :  keep  m}^  commandments, 
and  live. 

Get  wisdom,  get  understanding  :  forget  it  not ; 
neither  decline  from  the  words  of  my  mouth. 

Forsake  her  not,  and  she  shall  preserve  thee  ; 
love  her,  and  she  shall  keep  thee. 

Wisdom  7S  the  principal  thing  ;  therefore  get 
wisdom :  and  with  all  thy  getting  get  under- 
standing. 

Exalt  her,  and  she  shall  promote  thee  :  she  shall 
bring  thee  to  honour,  when  thou  dost  embrace  her. 

She  shall  give  to  thine  head  an  ornament  of 
grace  :  a  crown  of  glory  shall  she  deliver  to  thee. 

Hear,  0  my  son,  and  receive  my  sayings  ;  and 
the  years  of  thy  life  shall  be  many. 

I  have  taught  thee  in  the  way  of  wisdom  ;  I 
have  led  thee  in  right  paths. 

When  thou  goest,  thy  steps  shall  not  be  strait- 
ened ;  and  when  thou  runnest,  thou  shalt  not 
stumble. 

Take  fast  hold  of  instruction  ;  let  her  not  go  : 
keep  her  ;  for  she  is  thy  life. 

Enter  not  into  the  path  of  the  wicked,  and  go 
not  in  the  way  of  evil  men. 

Avoid  it,  pass  not  by  it,  turn  from  it,  and  pass 
away. 


RidiiKj  Kldcrn'  Jlmid-hook.  bd 

III.     For  the  Unconvehted. 
Isaiah  55 :  1-13. 

Ho,  every  one  that  thirsteth,  come  ye  to  the 
waters  and  he  that  hath  no  money  ;  come  ye, 
buy,  and  eat ;  yea,  come  buy  wine  and  milk 
without  money  and  without  price. 

Wherefore  do  ye  spend  money  for  that  luhich  is 
not  bread?  and  your  labour  for  that  which  satis- 
fietb  not ;  hearken  diligently  unto  me,  and  eat  ye 
tha>  which  is  good,  and  let  your  soul  delight  itself 
in  fatness. 

Incline  your  ear,  and  come  unto  me  :  hear,  and 
your  soul  shall  live  ;  and  I  will  make  an  ever- 
lasting covenant  with  you,  even  the  sure  mercies 
of  David. 

Behold,  I  have  given  him  for  a  witness  to  the 
people,  a  leader  and  commander  to  the  people. 

Behold,  thou  shalt  call  a  nation  that  thou 
knowest  not,  and  nations  tJiat  knew  not  thee  shall 
run  unto  thee,  because  of  the  Lord  thy  God,  and 
for  the  Holy  One  of  Israel ;  for  he  hath  glorified 
thee. 

Seek  ye  the  Lord  while  he  may  be  found,  call 
ye  upon  him  while  he  is  near  : 

Let  the  wicked  forsake  his  way,  and  the 
unrighteous  man  his  thoughts:  and  let  him 
return  unto  the  Lord,  and  he  will  have  mercy 
upon  him  ;  and  to  our  God,  for  he  will  abund- 
antly pardon. 

For  my  thoughts  are  not  your  thoughts,  neither 
are  your  ways  my  ways,  saitli  the  Lord. 

For  as  the  heavens  are  higher  than  the  earth, 
so  are  my  ways  higher  than  your  ways,  and  my 
thoughts  than  your  thoughts. 


90  RuUag  Elder.-^'   Hand-book, 

For  as  the  rain  cometli  down,  and  the  snow 
from  heaven,  and  returneth  not  thither,  but 
watereth'  the  earth,  and  maketh  it  bring  forth 
and  bud,  that  it  may  give  seed  to  the  sower,  and 
bread  to  the  eater : 

So  shall  my  word  be  that  goein  forth  out  of  my 
mouth  :  it  shall  not  return  unto  me  void,  but  it 
shall  accomplish  that  which  I  please,  and  it  shall 
prosper  in  the  thing  whereto  I  sent  it. 

For  ye  shall  go  out  with  joy,  and  be  led  forth 
with  peace  :  the  mountains  and  the  hills  shall 
break  forth  before  you  into  singing,  and  all  the 
trees  of  the  field  shall  clap  their  hands. 

Instead  of  the  thorn  shall  come  up  the  fir  tree, 
and  instead  of  the  brier  shall  come  up  the  myrtle 
tree  :  and  it  shall  be  to  the  Lord  for  a  name,  for 
an  everlasting  sign  that  shall  not  be  cut  ofip. 
John  3  :  1-21. 

There  was  a  man  of  the  Pharisees,  named 
Nicodemus,  a  ruler  of  the  Jews  : 

The  same  came  to  Jesus  by  night,  and  said 
unto  him.  Rabbi,  we  know  that  thou  art  a  teacher 
come  from  God :  for  no  man  can  do  these 
miracles  that  thou  doest,  except  God  be  with 
him. 

Jesus  answered  and  saia  unto  nim,  Veriiy, 
verily,  I  say  unto  thee.  Except  a  man  be  born 
again,  he  cannot  see  the  kingdom  of  God. 

Nicodemus  saith  unto  him,  How  can  a  man  be 
born  when  he  is  old  ?  can  he  enter  the  second 
time  into  his  mother's  womb,  and  be  born  ? 

Jesus  answered.  Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  thee, 
Except  a  man  be  born  of  water  and  of  the  Spirit, 
he  cannot  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God. 


Rtd'nuj   rjilvr^'    llaiiil-hook.  \)\ 

That  which  is  born  of  the  llesh  is  flesli ;  and 
that  which  is  born  of  tlie  Spirit  is  spirit. 

Marvel  not  that  I  said  unto  thee,  Ye  must  be 
born  again. 

The  wind  bloweth  where  it  listeth,  and  thou 
hearest  the  sound  thereof,  but  canst  not  tell 
whence  it  cometh,  and  whither  it  goetli  :  so  is 
every  one  that  is  born  of  the  Spirit. 

Nicodemus  answered  and  said  unto  liim,  How 
can  these  things  be? 

Jesus  answered  and  said  unto  him.  Art  thou  a 
master  of  Israel,  and  knowestnot  these  things  ? 

.  Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  thee.  We  speak  that 
we  do  know,  and  testify  that  we  have  seen  ;  and 
ye  receive  not  our  witness. 

If  I  have  told  you  earthly  things,  and  ye 
believe  not,  liow"  shall  ye  believe,  if  I  tell  you  of 
heavenly  things  ? 

And  no  man  hath  ascended  up  to  heaven,  but 
he  that  came  down  from  heaven,  even  the  Son  of 
man  w^hich  is  in  heaven. 

And  as  Moses  lifted  up  the  serpent  in  the 
wilderness,  even  so  must  the  Son  of  man  be 
lifted  up. 

That  -whosoever  believeth  in  Mm  should  not 
perish,  but  have  eternal  life. 

For  God  so  loved  the  world,  that  he  gave  his 
only  begotten  Son,  that  whosoever  believeth  in 
him  should  not  perish,  but  have  everlasting  life. 

For  God  sent  not  his  Son  into  the  world  to  con- 
demn the  w^orld  ;  but  that  the  world  through  him 
might  be  saved. 

He  that  believeth  on  him  is  not  condemned  : 
but  he  that  believeth  not  is  condemned  already, 


92  Riding  Elders'  Hand-book. 

because  lie  liatli  not  believed  in  the  name  of  the 
only  begotten  Son  of  God. 

And  this  is  the  condemnation,  that  light  is 
come  into  the  world,  and  men  loved  darkness 
rather  than  light,  because  their  deeds  were  evil. 

For  every  one  that  doeth  evil  liateth  the  light, 
neither  cometh  to  the  light,  lest  his  deeds  should 
be  reproved. 

But  he  that  doeth  truth  cometh  to  the  light, 
that  his  deeds  may  be  made  manifest,  that  they 
are  wrought  in  God. 

Also,  Luke  12  :  1-21,  Mark  8  :  27-28. 

IV.     For  Worldly  Christians. 
Luke  13  :  23-30. 

Then  said  he.  Unto  what  is  the  kingdom  of 
God  like  ?  and  whereunto  shall  I  resemble  it  ? 

It  is  like  a  grain  of  mustard  seed,  which  a  man 
took,  and  cast  into  his  garden  ;  and  it  grew,  and 
waxed  a  great  tree  ;  and  the  fowls  of  the  air 
lodged  in  the  branches  of  it. 

And  again  he  said,  Whereunto  shall  I  liken  the 
kingdom  of  God  ? 

It  is  like  leaven,  which  a  woman  took  and  hid 
in  three  measures  of  meal,  till  the  whole  was 
leavened. 

And  he  went  through  the  cities  and  villages, 
teaching,  aud  journeying  toward  Jerusalem. 

Then  said  one  unto  him,  Lord,  are  there  few 
that  be  saved  ?     And  he  said  unto  them. 

Strive  to  enter  in  at  tlie  strait  gate  :  for  many, 
I  say  unto  you,  will  seek  to  enter  in,  and  shall 
not  be  able. 


Muling  Eldcr-'i'   Ilaiul-hook.  *d'6 

When  once  the  master  of  the  house  is  risen  up, 
and  liath  shut  to  the  door,  and  ye  begin  to  stand 
without,  and. to  knock  at  the  door,  saying.  Lord, 
Lord,  open  unto  us  ;  and  he  sliall  answer  and  say 
unto  you,  I  know  you  not  wlience  ye  are  : 

Then  shall  ye  begin  to  say.  We  have  eaten  and 
drunk  in  thy  presence,  and  thou  hast  taught  in 
our  streets. 

But  he  shall  say,  I  tell  you,  I  know  you  not 
whence  ye  are  ;  depart  from  me,  all  ye  workers  of 
iniquity. 

There  shall  be  weeping  and  gnashing  of  teeth, 
when  ye  shall  see  Abraham,  and  Isaac,  and  Ja- 
cob, and  all  the  prophets,  in  the  kingdom  of  God, 
and  you  yourselves  thrust  out. 

And  they  shall  come  from  the  east,  and  from 
the  west,  and  from  the  north,  and  from  the  south, 
and  shall  sit  down  in  the  kingdom  of  God. 

And,  behold,  there  are  last  which  shall  be  first ; 
and  there  are  first  which  shall  be  last. 
Romans  12  :  1-21. 

I  beseech  you  therefore,  brethren,  by  the  mer- 
cies of  God,  that  ye  present  your  bodies  a  living 
sacrifice,  holy,  acceptable  unto  God,  which  is  your 
reasonable  service. 

And  be  not  conformed  to  this  world  ;  but  be  ye 
transformed  by  the  renewing  of  your  mind,  that 
ye  may  prove  what  is  that  good,  and  acceptable, 
and  perfect  will  of  God. 

For  I  say,  through  the  grace  given  unto  me,  to 
every  man  that  is  among  you,  not  to  think  of 
himself  more  highly  than  he  ought  to  think  ;  but 
to  think  soberly,  according  as  God  hath  dealt  to 
every  man  the  measure  of  faith. 


94  Ruling  Elders^   Handbook. 

For  as  we  have  many  members  in  one  body, 
and  all  members  have  not  the  same  office  : 

So  we,  being  many,  are  one  body  in  Christ,  and 
every  one  members  one  of  another. 

Having  then  gifts  differing  according  to  the 
grace  that  is  given  to  us,  whether  prophecy,  let  us 
prophesy  according  to  the  proportion  of  faith  ; 

Or  ministry,  let  us  wait  on  our  ministering  :  or 
he  that  teacheth,  on  teaching  ; 

Or  he  that  exhorteth,  on  exhortation  ;  he  that 
giveth,  let  him  do  it  with  simplicity  ;  he  that  rul- 
eth,  with  diligence  ;  he  that  sheweth  mercy,  with 
cheerfulness. 

Let  love  be  without  dissimulation.  Abhor  that 
which  is  evil ;  cleave  to  that  which  is  good. 

Be  kindly  affectioned  one  to  another  with  broth- 
erly love  ;  in  honour  preferring  one  another ; 

Not  slothful  in  business  ;  fervent  in  spirit ;  serv- 
ing the  Lord ; 

Rejoicing  in  hope  ;  patient  in  tribulation  ;  cori- 
tinuing  instant  iai  prayer  : 

Distributing  to  the  necessity  of  saints  ;  given  to 
hospitality. 

Bless  them  which  persecute  you  ;  bless,  and 
curse  not. 

Rejoice  with  them  that  do  rejoice,  and  weep 
with  them  that  weep. 

Be  of  the  same  mind  one  toward  another. 
Mind  not  high  things,  but  condescend  to  men  of 
low  estate.    *Be  not  wise  in  your  own  conceits. 

Recompense  to  no  man  evil  for  evil.  Provide 
things  honest  in  the  sight  of  all  men. 

If  it  be  possible,  as  much  as  lieth  in  you,  live 
peaceably  with  all  men. 


Ruling  Elders'   ILind-hook.  95 

Dearly  beloved,  avenge  not  yourselves,  but 
rather  give  j)lace  unto  ^vrath  ;  for  it  is  written,  Ven- 
geance is  mine  ;  I  will  repay,  saitli  the  Lord. 

Therefore  if  thine  enemy  hunger,  feed  him  ;  if 
he  thirst,  give  him  diink  ;  for  in  so  doing  thou 
shalt  lieap  coals  of  fire  on  his  head. 

Be  not  overcome  of  evil,  but  overcome  evil  with 
good. 

Also,  Luke  16  :  19-31.     Psalm  73. 

V.     To  Confirm  Believers. 
Romans  5  :  1-11. 

Therefore  being  justified  by  faith,  we  have  peace 
with  God  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  : 

By  whom  also  we  have  access  by  faith  unto  this 
grace  wherein  we  stand,  and  rejoice  in  hope  of  the 
glory  of  God 

And  not  only  so,  but  we  glory  in  tribulations 
also  :  knowing  that  tribulation  worketh  patience  ; 

And  patience,  experience;  and  experience, hope  : 

And  hope  maketh  not  ashamed  ;  because  the 
love  of  God  is  shed  abroad  in  our  hearts  by  the 
Holy  Ghost  which  is  given  unto  us. 

For  when  we  w^ere  yet  without  strength,  in  due 
time  Christ  died  for  the  ungodly. 

For  scarcely  for  a  righteous  man  will  one  die  : 
yet  peradventure  for  a  good  man  some  would  even 
dare  to  die. 

But  God  commendeth  his  love  toward  us,  in 
that,  while  we  were  yet  sinners,  Christ  died  for  us. 

Much  more  then,  being  now  justified  by  his 
blood,  we  shall  be  saved  from  wrath  through  him. 

For  if,  w^hen  w^e  were  enemies,  we  were  recon- 


96  Ruling  Elders''  Hand-hooh. 

ciled  to  God  by  the  death  of  his  Son  ;  much  more, 
being  reconciled,  we  shall  be  saved  by  his  life. 

And  not  only  so,  but  we  also  joy  in  God  through 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  by  whom  we  have  now  re- 
ceived the  atonement. 

Romans  8:  28-39. 

And  we  know  that  all  things  work  together  for 
good  to  them  that  love  God,  to  them  who  are  the 
called  according  to    his  purpose. 

For  whom  he  did  foreknow,  he  also  did  predes- 
tinate to  he  conformed  to  the  image  of  his  Son, 
that  he  might  be  the  firstborn  among  many 
brethren. 

Moreover  whom  he  did  predestinate,  them  he 
also  called  ;  and  whom  he  called,  them  he  also 
justified  ;  and  whom  he  justified,  them  he  also 
glorified. 

What  shall  we  then  say  to  these  things?  If 
God  he  for  us,  who  can  he  against  us  ? 

He  that  spared  not  his  own  Son,  but  delivered 
him  up  for  us  all,  how  shall  he  not  with  him  also 
freely  give  us  all  things  ? 

Who  shall  lay  anything  to  the  charge  of  God's 
elect  ?     It  is  God  that  justifieth. 

Who  is  he  that  condemneth?  It  is  Christ  that 
died,  yea  rather,  that  is  risen  again,  who  is  even 
at  the  right  hand  of  God,  who  also  maketh  inter- 
cession for  us. 

Who  shall  separate  us  from-  the  love  of  Christ  ? 
shall  tribulation,  or  distress,  or  persecution,  or 
famine,  or  nakedness,  or  peril,  or  sword  ? 

As  it  is  written.  For  thy  sake  we  are  killed  all 
the  day  long ;  we  are  accounted  as  sheep  for  the 
slaughter. 


Riding  Elderfi    Jfand-buolc.  97 

Nay,  in  all  these  thiugs  we  are  more  than  con- 
querors through  him  that  loved  us. 

For  I  am  persuaded,  that  neither  death,  nor  life, 
nor  angels,  nor  principalities,  nor  powers,  nor 
things  present,  nor  things  to  come, 

Nor  height,  nor  depth,  nor  any  other  creature, 
shall  be  able  to  separate  us  from  the  love  of  God, 
which  is  in  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord. 
I  John  2  :  1-17. 

My  little  children,  these  things  write  I  unto  you, 
that  ye  sin  not.  And  if  any  man  sin,  we  have 
an  advocate  with  the  Father,  Jesus  Christ  the 
righteous  : 

And  he  is  the  propitiation  for  our  sins  :  and  not 
for  ours  only,  but  also  for  tJie  sins  of  the  whole 
world. 

And  hereby  we  do  know  that  we  know  him,  if 
we  keep  his  commandments. 

He  that  saith,  I  know  him,  and  keepeth  not  his 
commandments,  is  a  liar,  and  the  truth  is  not  in 
him. 

But  whoso  keepeth  his  word,  in  him  verily  is 
the  love  of  God  perfected  •  hereby  know  we  that 
we  are  in  him. 

He  that  saith  he  abideth  in  him  ought  himself 
also  so  to  walk,  even  as  he  walked. 

Brethren,  I  write  no  new  commandment  unto 
you,  but  an  old  commandment  which  ye  had  from 
the  beginning.  The  old  commandment  is  the 
word  which  ye  have  heard  from  the  beginning. 

Agnin,  a  new  commandment  I  write  unto  you, 
which  thing  is  true  in  him  and  in  you  ;  because 
the  darkness  is  past,  and  the  true  light  now 
shineth. 


98  Ruling  Elders^  Hand-book. 

He  that  saith  he  is  in  the  light,  and  hateth  his 
brother,  is  in  darkness  even  until  now. 

He  that  loveth  his  brother  abideth  in  the  light, 
and  there  is   none  occasion  of  stumbling  in  him. 

But  he  that  hateth  his  brother  is  in  darkness, 
and  knoweth  not  whither  he  goeth,  because  that 
darkness  hath  blinded  his  eyes. 

I  write  unto  you,  little  children,  because  your 
sins  are  forgiven  you  for  his  name's  sake. 

J  write  unto  you,  fathers,  because  ye  have  known 
him  that  is  from  the  beginning.  I  write  unto  you, 
young  men,  because  ye  have  overcome  the  wicked 
one.  I  write  unto  you,  little  children,  because  ye 
have  known  the  Father. 

I  have  written  unto  you,  fathers,  because  ye 
have  known  him  that  is  from  the  beginning.  I 
have  written  unto  you,  young  men,  because  ye  are 
strong,  and  the  word  of  God  abideth  in  you,  and 
ye  have  overcome  the  wicked  one. 

Love  not  the  world,  neither  the  things  that  are 
in  the  world.  If  any  man  can  love  the  world,  the 
love  of  the  Father  is  not  in  him. 

For  all  that  is  in  the  world,  the  lust  of  the  flesh, 
and  the  lust  of  the  eyes,  and  the  pride  of  life,  is 
not  of  the  Father,  but  is  of  the  world. 

And  the  world  passeth  away,  and  the  lust  thereof ; 
but  he  thatdoeth  the  will  of  God  abideth  forever. 

Also,  Galatians  5:  13-26;  I  John  2:  1-17; 
Romans  8  :  1-17. 

VT.     For  Inquirers. 
John  10:1-16. 
Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  you.  He  that  entereth 
not  by  the  door  into-  the  sheepfold,  but  climbeth 


Ruling  Elderti'  Hand-book.  09 

up  some  other  way,  the  same  is  a  thief  and  a 
robber. 

But  he  that  entereth  in  by  the  door  is  the  shep- 
herd of  the  sheep. 

To  him  tlie  porter  openeth;  and  the  sheep  hear 
his  voice  ;  and  he  calleth  his  own  sheep  by  name, 
and  leadeth  them  out. 

And  when  he  putteth  forth  his  own  sheep,  he 
goeth  before  them,  and  the  sheep  follow  him  :  for 
they  know  his  voice. 

And  a  stranger  will  they  not  follow,  but  will  flee 
from  him  :  for  they  know  not  the  voice  of  strangers. 

This  parable  spake  Jesus  unto  them  ;  but  they 
understood  not  what  things  they  were  which  he 
spake  unto  them. 

Then  said  Jesus  unto  them  again,  Verily, 
verily,  I  say  unto  you,  I  am  the  door  of  the  sheep. 

All  that  ever  came  before  me  are  thieves  and 
robbers  :  but  the  sheep  did  not  hear  them. 

I  am  the  door  ;  by  me  if  any  man  enter  in,  he 
shall  be  saved,  and  shall  go  in  and  out,  and  find 
pasture. 

The  thief  cometh  not,  but  for  to  steal,  and  to 
kill,  and  to  destroy :  I  am  come  that  they  might 
have  life,  and  that  they  might  have  it  more 
abundantly. 

I  am  the  good  shepherd  :  the  good  shepherd 
giveth  his  life  for  the  sheep. 

But  he  that  is  an  hireling,  and  not  the  shepherd, 
whose  own  the  sheep  are  not,  seeth  the  wolf  com- 
ing, and, leave th  the  sheep,  and  fleeth  ;  and  the 
wolf  catcheth  them,  and  scattereth  the  sheep. 

The  hireling  fleeth,  because  he  is  an  hireling, 
and  careth  not  for  the  sheep. 


100  Ruling  Elder >^'   Hand-book 

I  am  the  good  shepherd,  and  know  my  sheep, 
and  am  known  of  mine. 

As  the  Father  knoweth  me,  even  so  know  I  the 
Father  :  and  I  lay  down  my  life  for  the  sheep. 

And  other  sheep  I  have,  which  are  not  of  this 
fold  :  them  also  I  must  bring,  and  they  shall  hear 
my  voice  ;  and  there  shall  be  one  fold,  and  one 
shepherd. 

Luke  15  :  11-24. 

And  he  said,  A  certain  man  had  two  sons  : 

And  the  younger  of  them  said  to  his  father, 
Father,  give  me  the  portion  of  goods  that  falleth 
to  me.     And  he  divided  unto  them  his  living. 

And  not  many  days  after  the  j^ounger  son 
gathered  all  together,  and  took  his  journey  into 
afar  country,  and  there  wasted  his  substance  with 
riotous  living. 

And  when  he  had  spent  all,  there  arose  a 
mighty  famine  in  that  land  ;  and  he  began  to  be 
in  want. 

And  he  went  and  joined  liimself  to  a  citizen  of 
that  country  ;  and  lie  sent  him  into  his  fields  to 
feed  swine. 

And  he  would  fain  have  filled  his  belly  with  the 
husks  that  the  swine  did  eat :  and  no  man  gave 
unto  him. 

And  when  he  came  to  himself,  he  said.  How 
many  hired  servants  of  my  father's  have  bread 
enough  and  to  spare,  and  I  perish  with  hunger  I 

I  will  arise  and  go  to  my  father,  and  will  say 
unto  him,  Father,  I  have  sinned  against  heaven, 
and  before  thee, 

And  am  no  more  worthy  to  be  called  thy  son  : 
make  me  as  one  of  thy  hired  servants. 


Ruling  Elders^  Hand-book.  101 

And  he  arose,  and  came  to  his  father.  But 
when  he  was  yet  a  great  way  off,  his  father  saw 
him,  and  had  compassion,  and  ran,  and  fell  on  his 
neck,  and  kissed  him. 

And  the  son  said  unto  him,  Father,  I  have 
sinned  against  heaven,  and  in  thy  sight,  and  am 
no  more  worthy  to  be  called  thy  son. 

But  the  father  said  to  his  servants,  Bring  forth 
the  best  robe,  and  put  it  on  him  ;  and  put  a  ring 
on  his  hand,  and  slioes  on  his  feet : 

And  bring  hither  the  fatted  calf,  and  kill  it; 
and  let  us  eat,  and  be  merry  : 

For  this  my  son  was  dead,  and  is  alive  again  ; 
he  was  lost,  and  is  found. 

John  G  :  27-47.  RomansUO  :  1-13.  Isaiah  58. 
John  19  :  16-37.     Isaiah  55. 

VII.     To    Encourage    Believers   in  Holy 

Living. 

Colossians  3  :  1-17. 

If  ye  then  be  risen  with  Christ,  seek  those 
things  which  are  above,  where  Christ  sitteth  on 
the  right  hand  of  God. 

Set  your  affection  on  things  above,  not  on 
things  on  the  earth. 

For  ye  are  dead,  and  your  life  is  hid  with  Chi:ist 
in  God. 

When  Christ,  who  is  our  life,  shall  appear,  then 
shall  ye  also  appear  with  him  in  glory. 

Mortify  therefore  your  members  which  are  upon 
the  earth  ;  fornication,  uncleanness,  inordinate 
affection,  evil  concupiscence,  and  covetousness, 
which  is  idolatry. 


102  Ruling  Elders'  Hand-book 

For  which  things'  sake  the  wrath  of  God 
cometh  on  the  children  of  disobedience  : 

In  the  which  ye  also  walked  some  time,  when 
ye  lived  in  them. 

But  now  ye  also  put  ofiPall  these  ;  anger,  wrath, 
malice,  blasphemy,  filthy  communication  out  of 
your  mouth. 

Lie  not  one  to  another,  seeing  that  ye  have  put 
off  the  old  man  with  his  deeds  ; 

And  have  put  on  the  new  vian,  which  is  re- 
newed in  knowledge  after  the  image  of  him  that 
created  him  : 

Where  there  is  neither  Greek  nor  Jew,  circum- 
cision nor  uncircumcision,  Barbarian,  Scythian, 
bond  nor  free  ;  but  Christ  is  all,  and  in  all. 

Put  on  therefore,  as  the  elect  of  God,  holy  and 
beloved,  bowels  of  mercies,  kindness,  humbleness 
of  mind,  meekness,  longsufFering  ; 

Forbearing  one  another,  and  forgiving  one  an- 
other, if  any  man  have  a  quarrel  against  any  ; 
even  as  Christ  forgave  you,  so  also  do  ye. 

And  above  all  these  things _pw^  on  charity,  which 
is  the  bond  of  perfectness. 

And  let  the  peace  of  God  rule  in  your  hearts,  to 
the  which  also  ye  are  called  in  one  body  ;  and  be 
ye  thankful. 

•  Let  the  word  of  Christ  dwell  in  you  richly  in 
all  wisdom  ;  teaching  and  admonishing  one  an- 
other in  psalms  and  hymns  and  spiritual  songs, 
singing  with  grace  in  your  hearts  to  the  Lord. 

And  whatsoever  ye  do  in  word  or  deed,  do  all 
in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  giving  thanks  to 
God  and  the  Father  by  him. 


Raliuy  Elderfi'    Hand-book.  lOli 

I  John  3  :   1-18. 

Behold,  what  manner  of  love  the  Father  hath 
bestowed  upon  us,  that  we  should  be  called  the 
sons  of  God  :  therefore  the  world  knoweth  us  not, 
because  it  knew  him  not. 

Beloved,  now  are  we  the  sons  of  God,  and  it 
doth  not  yet  appear  what  we  shall  be  :  but  we 
know  that,  when  he  shall  appear,  we  shall  be  like 
him  ;  for  we  shall  see  him  as  he  is. 

And  every  man  that  hath  this  hope  in  him 
purifieth  himself,  even  as  he  is  pure. 

Whosoever  committeth  sin  transgresseth  also 
the  law  :  for  sin  is  the  transgression  of  the  law. 

And  ye  know  that  he  was  manifested  to  take 
away  our  sins  ;  and  in  him  is  no  sin. 

Whosoever  abideth  in  him  sinneth  not :  who- 
soever sinneth  hath  not  seen  him,  neither  known 
him. 

Little  children,  let  no  man  deceive  you  :  he 
that  doeth  righteousness  is  righteous,  even  as  he 
is  righteous. 

He  that  committeth  sin  is  of  the  devil ;  for  the 
devil  sinneth  from  the  beginning.  For  this  pur- 
pose the  Son  of  God  was  manifested,  that  he 
might  destroy  the  works  of  the  devil. 

Whosoever  is  born  of  God  doth  not  commit 
sin  ;  for  his  seed  remaineth  in  him  :  and  he  can- 
not sin,  because  he  is  born  of  God. 

In  this  the  children  of  God  are  manifest,  and 
the  children  of  the  devil  :  whosoever  doeth  not 
righteousness  is  ilot  of  God,  neither  he  that  loveth 
not  his  brother. 

For  this  is  the  message  that  ye  heard  from  the 
beginning,  that  we  should  love  one  another. 


104  Ruling  Elders''   Hand-book. 

Not  as  Cain,  who  was  of  that  wicked  one,  and 
slew  his  brother.  And  wherefore  slew  he  him  ? 
Because  his  own  works  were  evil,  and  his  brother's 
righteous. 

Marvel  not,  my  brethren,  if  the  world  hate  you. 

We  know  that  we  have  passed  from  death  unto 
life,  because  we  love  the  brethren.  He  that 
loveth  not  his  brother  abideth  in  death. 

'Whosoever  hateth  his  brother  is  a  murderer  : 
and  ye  know  that  no  murderer  hath  eternal  life 
abiding  in  him. 

Hereby  perceive  we  the  love  of  God,  because  he 
laid  down  his  life  for  us  :  and  w^e  ought  to  lay 
down  our  lives  for  the  brethren. 

But  wdioso  hath  this  world's  good,  and  seeth 
his  brother  have  need,  and  shutteth  up  his  bowels 
of  compassion  from  him,  how  dwelleth  the  love  of 
God  in  him? 

My  little  children,  let  us  not  love  in  word, 
neither  in  tongue  ;  but  in  deed  and  in  truth. 

Also,  Hebrews  4.     James  3. 

VIII.     For  the  Sick  Room. 
Repentance  for  Sin. 

Psalm  51. 

Have  mercy  upon  me,  O  God,  according  to  thy 
loving  kindness  :  according  unto  the  multitude 
of  thy  tender  mercies  blot  out  my  transgressions. 

Wash  me  thoroughly  from  mine  iniquity,  and 
cleanse  me  from  my  sin. 

For  I  acknowledge  my  transgressions  :  and  my 
sin  is  ever  before  me. 


Kaliay  JUdvrs    llaud-buuk.  lUo 

Against  thee,  thee  only,  have  I  sinned,  and 
done  this  evil  in  thy  sight :  that  thou  mightestbe 
justified  when  thou  speakest,  and  be  clear  when 
thou  judgest. 

Behold,  I  was  shapen  in  iniquity  ;  and  in  sin 
did  my  mother  conceive  me. 

Behold,  thou  desirest  truth  in  tlie  inward  parts  : 
and  in  the  hidden  part  thou  shalt  make  me  to 
know  wisdom. 

Purge  me  with  hyssop,  and  I  shall  be  clean  : 
wash  me,  and  I  shall  be  whiter  than  snow. 

Make  me  to  hear  joy  and  gladness  ;  that  the 
bones  luhich  thou  hast  broken  may  rejoice. 

Hide  thy  face  from  my  sins,  and  blot  out  all 
mine  iniquities. 

Create  in  me  a  clean  heart,  0  God  ;  and  renew 
a  right  spirit  within  me. 

Cast  me  not  away  from  thy  presence  ;  and  take 
not  thy  Holy  Spirit  from  me. 

Restore  unto  me  the  joy  of  thy  salvation  ;  and 
uphold  me  iv'dh  thy  free  Spirit. 

Then  will  I  teach  transgressors  thy  ways  ;  and 
sinners  shall  be  converted  unto  thee. 

Deliver  me  from  blood-guiltiness,  O  God,  thou 
God  of  my  salvation  :  and  my  tongue  shall  sing 
aloud  of  thy  righteousness. 

O  Lord,  open  thou  my  lips  ;  and  my  mouth 
shall  shew  forth  thy  praise. 

For  thou  desirest  not  sacrifice  ;  else  would  I 
give  it :  thou  delightest  not  in  burnt  offering. 

The  sacrifices  of  God  are  a  broken  spirit :  a 
broken  and  a  contrite  heart,  O  God,  thou  wilt  not 
despise. 


106  Ridliiy  Elders'   Haud-hook. 

Do  good  in  thy  good  pleasure  unto  Zion  :  build 
thou  the  walls  of  Jerusalem. 

Then  shalt  thou  be  pleased  with  the  sacrifices 
of  righteousness,  with  burnt  offering  and  whole 
burnt  offering :  then  shall  they  offer  bullocks 
upon  thine  altar. 

Patience  in  Affliction, 
Hebrews    12:  13. 

Wherefore,  seeing  we  also  are  compassed  about 
with  so  great  a  cloud  of  witnesses,  let  us  lay  aside 
every  weight,  and  the  sin  which  doth  so  easily 
beset  uSy  and  let  us  run  with  patience  the  race 
that  is  set  before  us, 

Looking  unto  Jesus  the  author  and  finisher  of 
our  faith  ;  who  for  the  joy  that  was  set  before  him 
endured  the  cross,  despising  the  shame,  and  is 
set  down  at  the  right  hand  of  the  throne  of  God. 

For  consider  him  that  endured  such  contradic- 
tion of  sinners  against  himself,  lest  ye  be  wearied 
and  faint  in  your  minds. 

Ye  have  not  yet  resisted  unto  blood,  striving 
against  sin. 

And  ye  have  forgotten  the  exhortation  which 
speaketh  unto  you  as  unto  children,  My  son,  de- 
spise not  thou  the  chastening  of  the  Lord,  nor 
faint  when  thou  art  rebuked  of  him  : 

For  whom  the  Lord  loveth  he  chasteneth,  and 
scourgeth  every  son  whom  he  receiveth. 

If  ye  endure  chastening,  God  dealeth  with  you 
as  with  sons  ;  for  what  son  is  he  whom  the  father 
chasteneth  not  ? 

But  if  ye  be  without  chastisement,  whereof  all 
are  partakers,  then  are  ye  bastards,  and  not  sons. 


Ruling  Eldcm^  Jland-hook.  107 

Furthermore,  we  have  had  fathers  of  our  flesh 
which  corrected  i<s,  and  we  gave  them,  reverence  : 
shall  we  not  much  rather  lie  in  subjection  unto 
the  Father  of  spirits,  and  live  ? 

For  they  verily  for  a  few  days  chastened  ns 
after  their  own  pleasure  ;  but  he  for  our  profit, 
that-zre  might  be  partakers  of  his  holiness. 

Now  no  chastening  for  the  present  seemeth  to 
be  joyous,  but  grievous  :  nevertheless,  afterward 
it  yiekleth  the  peaceable  fruit  of  righteousness 
unto  them  which  are  exercised  thereby. 

Wherefore  lift  up  the  hands  which  hang  down, 
and  the  feeble  knees  ; 

And  make  straight  paths  for  your  feet,  lest 
that  which  is  lame  be  turned  out  of  the  way  ;  but 
let  it  rather  be  healed. 

Brevity  of  Life, 
Psalm  90. 

Lord,  thou  hast  been  our  dwelling  place  in  all 
generations. 

Before  the  mountains  were  brought  forth,  or 
ever  thou  hadst  formed  the  earth  and  the  world, 
even  from  everlasting  to  everlasting,  thou  art  God. 

Thou  turnest  man  to  destruction  ;  and  sayest, 
Return,  ye  children  of  men. 

For  a  thousand  years  in  thy  sight  are  hut  as 
yesterday  when  it  is  past,  and  as  a  watch  in  the 
night. 

Thou  carriest  them  away  as  with  a  flood  ;  they 
are  as  a  sleep  ;  in  the  morning  they  are  like  grass 
which  groweth  up. 

In  the  morning  it  flourisheth,  and  groweth  up  ; 
in  the  evening  it  is  cut  down,  and  withereth. 


108  Ruling  Eldens'   Hand-book. 

For  we  are  consumed  by  thine  anger,  and  by 
thy  wrath  are  we  troubled. 

Thou  hast  set  our  iniquities  before  thee,  our 
secret  sins  in  the  light  of  thy  countenance. 

For  all  our  days  are  passed  away  in  thy  wrath  : 
we  spend  our  years  as  a  tale  that  is  told. 

The  days  of  our  years  are  threescore  years  and 
ten  ;  and  if  by  reason  of  strength  they  he  four- 
score years,  yet  is  their  strength  labour  and  sor- 
row ;  for  it  is  soon  cut  off,  and  we  fly  away. 

Who  knoweth  the  power  of  thy  anger  ?  even 
according  to  thy  fear,  so  is  thy  wrath. 

So  teach  us  to  number  our  days,  that  we  inay 
apply  our  hearts  unto  wisdom. 

Eeturn,  O  Lord,  how  long  ?  and  let  it  repent 
thee  concerning  thy  servants. 

O  satisfy  us  early  with  thy  mercy  ;  that  we  may 
rejoice  and  be  glad  all  our  days. 

Make  us  glad  according  to  the  days  wherein 
thou  hast  afflicted  us,  and  the  years  wherein  we 
have  seen  evil. 

Let  thy  work  appear  unto  thy  servants,  and 
thy  glory  unto  their  children. 

And  let  the  beauty  of  the  Lord  our  God  be 
upon  us  :  and  establish  thou  the  work  of  our 
hands  upon  us  ;  yea,  the  work  of  our  hands  es- 
tablish thou  it. 

A  Psalm  of  Praise. 
Psalm  103. 
Bless   the    Lord,  O  my  soul ;    and  all  that  is 
within  me,  bless  his  holy  name. 

Bless  the  Lord,  0  my  soul,  and  forget  not  all 
his  benefits  : 


Ruling  Elders''  Hand-book,  109 

Who  forgivctli  all  thine  iniquities  ;  who  heal- 
eth  all  thy  diseases  ; 

Who  redeemeth  thy  life  from  destruction  ;  who 
crowneth  thee  with  loving  kindness  and  tender 
mercies  ; 

Who  satisfieth  thy  mouth  with  good  thinrjs  ;  so 
that  thy  youth  is  renewed  like  the  eagle's. 

The  Lord  executeth  righteousness  and  judg- 
ment for  all  that  are  oppressed. 

He  made  known  his  ways  unto  Moses,  his  acts 
unto  the  children  of  Israel. 

The  Lord  is  merciful  and  gracious,  slow  to 
anger,  and  plenteous  in  mercy. 

He  will  not  always  chide  :  neither  will  he  keep 
his  anger  forever. 

He  hath  not  dealt  with  us  after  our  sins  ;  nor 
rewarded  us  according  to  our  iniquities. 

For  as  the  heaven  is  high  above  the  earth,  so 
great  is  his  mercy  toward  them  that  fear  him. 

As  far  as  the  east  is  from  the  west,  so  far  hath 
he  removed  our  transgressions  from  us. 

Like  as  a  father  pitieth  his  children,  so  the  Lord 
pitieth  them  that  fear  him. 

'    For  he  knoweth  our  frame  ;  he  remembereth 
that  we  are  dust. 

As  for  man,  his  days  are  as  grass  :  as  a  flower 
of  the  field,  so  he  flourish eth. 

For  the  wind  passeth  over  it,  and  it  is  gone  ; 
and  the  place  thereof  shall  know  it  no  more. 

But  the  mercy  of  the  Lord  is  from  everlasting 
to  everlasting  upon  them  that  fear  him,  and  his 
righteousness  unto  children's  children  ; 

To  such  as  keep  his  covenant,  and  to  those  that 
remember  his  commandments  to  do  them. 


110  Ruling  Elders^   Hand-book. 

The  Lord  liath  prepared  his  throne  in  the 
heavens  ;  and  his  kingdom  ruleth  over  all. 

Bless  the  Lord,  ye  his  angels,  that  excel  in 
strength,  that  do  his  commandments,  hearkening 
unto  the  voice  of  his  word. 

Bless  ye  the  Lord,  all  ye  his  hosts  ;  ye  minis- 
ters of  his,  that  djo  his  pleasure. 

Bless  the  Lord,  all  his  works  in  all  places  of 
his  dominion  ;  bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul. 

Final    Victory. 
I  Corinthians  15  :  51-58. 

Behold,  I  shew  you  a  mystery  ;  We  shall  not 
all  sleep,  but  we  shall  all  be  changed. 

In  a  moment,  in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye,  at  the 
last  trump  ;  for  the  trumpet  shall  sound,  and  the 
dead  shall  be  raised  incorruptible,  and  we  shall  be 
changed. 

For  this  corruptible  must  put  on  incorruption, 
and  this  mortal  must  put  on  immortality. 

So  when  this  corruptible  shall  have  put  on  in- 
corruption, and  this  mortal  shall  have  put  on 
immortality,  then  shall  be  brought  to  pass  the 
saying  that  is  written,  Death  is  swallowed  up  in 
victory. 

O  death,  where  is  thy  sting?  0  grave,  where  is 
thy  victory? 

The  sting  of  death  is  sin  ;  and  the  strength  of 
sin  is  the  law. 

But  thanks  be  to  God,  which  giveth  us  the 
victory  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

Therefore,  my  beloved  brethren,  be  ye  stead- 
fast, unmovable,  always  abounding  in  the  work  of 
the  Lord,  forasmuch  as  ye  know  that  your  labor 
is  not  in  vain  in  the  Lord. 


Ruling  Elders^  Hand-book.  1 1 1 

Coming  Glory. 

Revelation  22. 

And  he  showed  me  a  pure  river  of  water  of  life, 
clear  as  crystal,  proceeding  out  of  the  throne  of 
God  and  of  the  Lamb. 

In  the  midst  of  the  street  of  it,  and  on  either 
side  of  the  river,  was  there  the  tree  of  life,  which 
bare  twelve  manner  of  fruits,  and  yielded  her  fruit 
every  month  ;  and  the  leaves  of  the  tree  were  for 
the  healing  of  the  nations. 

And  there  shall  be  no  more  curse  ;  but  the 
throne  of  God  and  of  the  Lamb  shall  be  in  it  ; 
and  his  servants  shall  serve  him. 

And  they  shall  see  his  face  ;  and  his  name 
shall  be  in  their  foreheads. 

And  there  shall  be  no  night  there  ;  and  they 
need  no  candle,  neither  light  of  the  sun  ;  for  the 
Lord  God  giveth  them  light ;  and  they  shall  reign 
for  ever  and  ever. 

And  he  said  unto  me,  These  sayings  are  faith- 
ful and  true  ;  and  the  Lord  God  of  the  holy  pro- 
phets sent  his  angel  to  shew  unto  his  servant 
the  things  which  must  shortly  be  done. 

Behold,  I  come  quickly ;  blessed  is  he  that 
keepeth  the  sayings  of  the  prophecy  of  this  book. 

And  I  John  saw  these  things,  and  heard  them. 
And  when  I  had  heard  and  seen,  I  fell  down  to 
worship  before  the  feet  of  the  angel  which  shewed 
me  these  things. 

Then  saith  he  unto  me,  See  thou  do  it  not ;  for 
I  am  thy  fellow  servant,  and  of  thy  brethren  the 
prophets,  and  of  them  which  keep  the  sayings  of 
this  book  :  worship  God. 


112     '  Riding  Elders'  Hand-hook, 

And  he  saith  unto  me,  Seal  not  the  sayings  of 
the  prophecy  of  this  book,  for  the  time  is  at  hand. 

He  that  is  unjust,  let  him  be  unjust  still ;  and 
he  which  is  filthy,  let  him  be  filthy  still ;  and  he 
that  is  righteous,  let  him  be  righteous  still ;  and 
he  that  is  holy,  let  him  be  holy  still. 

And  behold  I  come  quickly,  and  my  reward  is 
with  me,  to  give  every  man  according  as  his  work 
shall  be. 

I  am  Alpha  and  Omega,  the  beginning  and  the 
end,  the  first  and  the  last. 

Blessed  are  they  that  do  his  commandments, 
that  they  may  have  right  to  the  tree  of  life,  and 
may  enter  in  through  the  gates  into  the  city. 

For  without  are  dogs,  and  sorcerers,  and  whore- 
mongers, and  murderers,  and  idolaters,  and 
whosoever  loveth  and  maketh  a  lie. 

I  Jesus  have  sent  mine  angel  to  testify  unto 
you  these  things  in  the  churches.  I  am  the  root 
and  the  offspring  of  David,  and  the  bright  and 
morning  star. 

And  the  Spirit  and  the  bride  say.  Come.  And 
let  him  that  heareth  say.  Come.  And  let  him 
that  is  athirst  come.  And  whosoever  will,  let 
him  take  the  water  of  life  freely. 

For  I  testify  unto  every  man  that  heareth  the 
words  of  the  prophecy  of  this  book.  If  any  man 
shall  add  unto  these  things,  God  shall  add  unto 
him  the  plagues  that  are  written  in  this  book. 

And  if  any  man  shall  take  away  from  the  words 
of  the  book  of  this  prophecy,  God  shall  take  away 
his  part  out  of  the  book  of  life,  and  out  of  the 
holy  city,  and  from  the  things  which  are  written 
in  this  book. 


Muling  KLdera'  Hand-book.  113 

He  which  testifieth  these  things  saith,  Surely  I 
come  quickly,  Amen.  Even  so,  come,  Lord 
Jesus. 

The  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be  with 
you  alL     Amen. 

IX.     For  the  Bereaved. 

Comfort. 

Joh^l4:  1-14. 

Let  not  your  heart  be  troubled  :  ye  believe  in 
God,  believe  also  in  me. 

In  my  Father's  house  are  many  mansions  :  if 
it  were  not  so,  I  would  have  told  you.  I  go  to 
prepare  a  place  for  you. 

And  if  I  go  and  prepare  a  place  for  you,  I  will 
come  again,  and  receive  you  unto  myself;  that 
where  I  am,  there  ye  may  be  also. 

And  whither  I  go  ye  know,  and  the  way  ye 
know. 

Thomas  saith  unto  him,  Lord,  we  know  not 
whither  thou  goest  ;  and  how  can  we  know  the 
way  ? 

Jesus  saith  unto  him,  I  am  the  way,  the  truth, 
and  the  life  :  no  man  cometh  unto  the  Father,  but 
by  me. 

If  ye  had  known  me,  ye  should  have  known  my 
Father  also ;  and  from  henceforth  ye  know  him, 
and  have  seen  him. 

Philip  said  unto  him.  Lord,  shew  us  the  Father, 
and  it  sufficeth  us. 

Jesus  saith  unto  him,  Have  I  been  so  long  time 
with  you,  and  yet  hast  thou  not  known  me, 
Philip  ?  he  that    hath    seen  me  hath    seen    the 


114  .    Riding  'Elders^   Hand-hook. 

Father ;  and  how  sa3^est  thou  then,  Shew  us  the 
Father  ? 

Believest  thou  not  that  I  am  in  the  Father,  and 
the  Father  in  me  ?  the  words  that  I  speak  unto 
you  I  speak  not  of  myself ;  but  the  Father  that 
dwelleth  in   me,  he  doeth  the  works. 

Believe  me  that  I  am  in  the  Father,  and  the 
Father  in  me :  or  else  believe  me  for  the  very 
works'  sake. 

Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  you,  He  that  believ- 
eth  on  me,  the  works  that  I  do  shall  he  do  also  ; 
and  greater  works  than  these  shall  he  do  ;  because 
I  go  unto  my  Father. 

And  whatsoever  ye  shall  ask  in  my  name,  that 
will  I  do,  that  the  Father  mav  be  glorified  in  the 
Son. 

If  ye  shall  ask  any  thing  in  my  name,  I  will 
do  it. 

Safety. 

Psalm   91. 

He  that  dwelleth  in  the  secret  j)lace  of  the  Most 
High,  shall  abide  under  the  shadow  of  the 
Almighty. 

I  will  say  of  the  Lord,  He  is  my  refuge  and  my 
fortress  ;  my  God;  in  him  will  I  trust. 

Surely  he  shall  deliver  thee  from  the  snare  of 
the  fowler,  and  from  the  noisome  pestilence. 

He  shall  cover  thee  with  his  feathers,  and  under 
his  wings  shalt  thou  trust:  his  truth  shall  he  thy 
shield  and  buckler. 

Thou  shalt  not  be  afraid  for  the  terror  by  night ; 
nor  for  the  arrow  that  flieth  by  day ; 


Muling  Elders    lltuul-buuk.  115 

Nor  for  the  pestilence  </m^  walketh  in  darkness  ; 
nor  for  the  destruction  that  wastoth  at  noonday. 

A  thousand  shall  fall  at  thy  side,  and  ten 
thousand  at  thy  right  hand ;  hut  it  shall  not  come 
nigh  thee. 

Only  with  thine  eyes  slialt  thou  hehold  and  see 
the  reward  of  the  wicked. 

Because  thou  hast  made  the  Lord,  which  is  my 
refuge,  even  the  Most  High,  thy  habitation; 

There  shall  no  evil  befall  thee,  neither  shall 
any  plague  come  nigh  thy  dwelling. 

For  he  shall  give  his  angels  charge  over  thee, 
to  keep  thee  in  all  thy  ways. 

They  shall  bear  thee  up  in  their  hands,  lest  thou 
dash  thy  foot  against  a  stone. 

Thou  shalt  tread  upon  the  lion  and  adder  : 
the  young  lion  and  the  dragon  sluilt  thou  trample 
under  feet. 

Because  he  hath  set  his  love  upon  me,  therefore 
will  I  deliver  him  :  I  will  set  him  on  high,  be- 
cause lie  hath  known  my  name. 

He  shall  call  upon  me,  and  I  will  answer  him  : 
I  xuill  he  with  him  in  trouble  ;  I  will  deliver  him, 
and  honour  him. 

With  long  life  wdll  I  satisfy  him,  and  shew  him 
my  salvation. 

Consolation. 
Isaiah  43  :  2-3. 
When  thou  passest  through  the  w^aters  T '^^;^7Z6€ 
with  thee  ;  and  through  the  rivers,  they  shall  not 
overflow  thee  :  when  thou  walkest  through  the 
fire,  thou  shalt  not  be  burned  ;  neither  shall  the 
flame  kindle  upon  thee. 


116  Ruling  Elders^  Hand-book 

For  I  am  the  Lord  thy  God,  the  Holy  One  of 
Israel,  thy  Saviour. 

Job  5  :  17-19. 

Behold,  happy  is  the  man  whom  God  correcteth  : 
therefore  despise  not  thou  the  chastening  of  the 
Almighty. 

For  he  maketh  sore,  and  bindeth  up  ;  he  wound- 
eth,  and  his  hands  make  whole. 

He  shall  deliver  thee  in  six  troubles  :  yea,  in 
seven  there  shall  no  evil  touch  thee. 
I  Peter  4  :  12-13. 

Beloved,  think  it  not  strange  concerning  the 
fiery  trial  which  is  to  try  you,  as  though  some 
strange  thing  happened  unto  you. 

But  rejoice,  inasmuch  as  ye  are  partakers  of 
Christ's  sufferings  ;  that,  when  his  glory  shall  be 
revealed,  ye  may  be  glad  also  with  exceeding  joy. 
I  Peter  1  :  3-9. 

Blessed  he  the  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  which  according  to  his  abundant 
mercy  hath  begotten  us  again  unto  a  lively  hope 
by  the  resurrection  of  Jesus  Christ  from  the  dead, 

To  an  inheritance  incorruptible,  and  undefiled, 
and  that  fadeth  not  away,  reserved  in  heaven  for 
you, 

Who  are  kept  by  the  power  of  God  through 
faith  unto  salvation  ready  to  be  revealed  in  the 
last  time. 

Wherein  ye  greatly  rejoice,  though  now  for  a 
season,  if  need  be,  ye  are  in  heaviness  through 
manifold  temptations : 

That  the  trial  of  your  faith,  being  much  more 
precious  than  of  gold  that  perisheth,  though  it  be 


Ruling  EUhr.s'   Ifand-hook.  117 

tried  with  fire,  might  be  found  unto  praise  and 
honour  and  glory  at  the  appearing  of  Jesus  Christ : 

Whom  having  not  seen,  ye  love ;  in  whom, 
though  now  ye  see  him  not,  yet  believing,  ye  re- 
joice with  joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory  ; 

Receiving  the  end  of  your  faith,  even  the  salva- 
tion of  your  souls. 

II  Corinthians  4  :  17-18. 

For  our  light  affliction,  which  is  but  for  a  mo- 
ment, worketh  for  us  a  far  more  exceeding  and 
eternal  weight  of  glory  ; 

While  we  look  not  at  the  things  which  are  seen, 
but  at  the  things  which  are  not  seen  :  for  the 
things  w^hich  are  seen  are  temporal  ;  but  the  things 
which  are  not  seen  are  eternal. 


X.     A  Form  of  Service  for  the  Burial  of  the 

Dead. 

'^  Note. — Frequently  Ruling  Elders  are  called  upon  to  officiate 
at  funerals.     For  their  help  we  make  the  following  suggestions : 

1.  Devote  most  of  the  time  to  reading  Scripture,  singing 
hymns  and  prayer.  Extended  remarks  are  generally  not  profit- 
able on  such  occasions. 

2.  Try  to  close  the  service  in  half  an  hour  from  its  begin- 
ning. 

3.  We  have  found  it  best  generally  to  begin  the  service  by 
singing  a  hymn.  Permit  mourning  friends  to  select  a  hymn,  if 
they  desire.  If  not,  one  of  the  following  may  be  sung  :  *'  Jesus, 
lover  of  my  soul."  "  My  faith  looks  up  to  thee."  "Asleep  in 
Jesus,  blessed  sleep."  "How  blest  the  righteous  when  he 
dies."  "Beyond  the  smiling  and  th©  weeping."  "It  is  not 
death  to  die." 

(^Vhen  the  hymn  has  been  sung,  read  one  of  the  following 
selections  of  Scripture. ) 


118  Ruling  Elders'  Hand-book. 

I.       GENERAL    SERVICE. 

I  Corinthians  15:  20-57. 

But  now  is  Christ  risen  from  the  dead,  and 
become  tlie  firstfruits  of  them  that  slept. 

For  since  by  man  came  death,  by  man  came 
also  the  resurrection  of  the  dead. 

For  as  in  Adam  all  die,  even  so  in  Christ  shall 
all  be  made  alive. 

But  every  man  in  his  own  order  :  Christ  the 
firstfruits  ;  afterward  they  that  are  Christ's  at  his 
coming. 

Then  cometh  the  end,  when  he  shall  have  deliv- 
ered up  the  kingdom  to  God,  even  the  Father  ; 
when  he  shall  have  put  down  all  rule,  and  all 
authority  and  power. 

For  he  miust  reign  till  he  hath  put  all  enemies 
under  his  feet.  The  last  enemy  that  shall  be 
destroyed  is  death.  For  he  hath  put  all  things 
under  his  feet.  But  when  he  saith  all  things  are 
put  under  him,  it  is  manifest  that  he  is  excepted 
which  did  put  all  things  under  him.  And  when 
all  things  shall  be  subdued  unto  him,  then  shall 
the  Sod  also  himself  be  subject  unto  him,  that 
God  may  be  all  in  all. 

Else  what  shall  they  do  which  are  baptized  for 
the  dead,  if  the  dead  rise  not  at  all?  why  are  they 
then  baptized  for  the  dead?  And  why  stand  we 
in  jeopardy  every  'hour?  But  some  man  will 
say,  How  are  the  dead  raised  up?  and  with  what 
body  do  they  come?  Thou  fool,  .  .  .  that 
which  thou  sowest,  thou  sowest  not  that  body 
that  shall  be,  but  bare  grain,  it  may  chance  of 
wheat,  or  of  some  other  grain.     But   God  giveth 


Rating  Elder a^  Hand-book.  119 

it  a  body  as  it  hath  pleased  him,  and  to  every 
seed  his  own  body.  All  flesh  is  not  the  same  flesh  : 
but  there  is  one  kind  of  flesh  of  men,  another 
flesh  of  beasts,  another  of  fishes,  and  another 
of  birds.  There  are  also  celestial  bodies  and 
bodies  terrestrial :  but  the  glory  of  the  celestial  is 
one,  and  the  glory  of  the  terrestrial  is  another. 

[Or  begin  here.] 

There  is  one  glory  of  the  sun,  and  another 
glory  of  the  moon,  and  another  glory  of  the  stars  : 
for  one  star  differeth  from  another  star  in  glory. 
So  also  is  the  resurrection  of  the  dead.  It  is 
sown  in  corruption,  it  is  raised  in  incorruption  : 
it  is  sown  in  dishonor,  it  is  raised  in  glory  ;  it  is 
sown  in  weakness,  it  is  raised  in  power ;  it  is 
sown  a  natural  body,  it  is  raised  a  spiritual  body. 
There  is  a  natural  body,  and  there  is  a  spiritual 
body.  And  so  it  is  written.  The  first  man  Adam 
was  made  a  living  soul,  the  last  Adam  was  made 
a  quickening  spirit.  .  .  And  as  we  have  borne 
the    image    of  the    earthly,    we    shall   also   bear 

the  image  of  the  heavenly Behold,  I  shew 

you  a  mystery  ;  We  shall  not  all  sleep,  but  we 
shall  all  be  changed,  in  a  moment,  in  the  twink- 
ling of  an  eye,  at  the  last  trump  ;  for  the  trumpet 
shall  sound,  and  the  dead  shall  be  raised  incor- 
ruptible, and  we  shall  be  changed.  For  this  cor- 
ruptible must  put  on  incorruption,  and  this 
mortal  must  put  on  immortality.  So  when  this 
corruptible  shall  have  put  on  incorruption,  and 
this  mortal  shall  have  put  on  immortality,  then 
shall  be  brought  to  pass  the  saying  that  is  writ- 
ten. Death  is  swallowed  up  in  victory.  O  death, 
where  is  thy  sting  ?     0  grave,   where  is  thy  vie- 


120  Ruling  Elders'  Hand-hook. 

tory  ?  The  sting  of  death  is  sin  ;  and  the  strength 
of  sin  is  the  law.  But  thanks  be  to  God,  which 
giveth  us  the  victory  through  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.  Therefore,  my  beloved  brethren,  be  ye 
steadfast,  unmovable,  always  abounding  in  the 
work  of  the  Lord,  forasmuch  as  ye  know  that  your 
labour  is  not  in  vain  in  the  Lord. 

{Or^  if  the  deceased  he  a  child,  read ;] 
Matthew  18  :  1-6. 

At  the  same  time  came  the  disciples  unto  Jesus, 
saying.  Who  is  the  greatest  in  the  kingdom  of 
heaven  ?  And  Jesus  called  a  little  child  unto 
him  and  set  him  in  the  midst  of  them,  and  said: 
Verily  I  say  unto  you,  except  ye  be  converted, 
and  become  as  little  children,  ye  shall  not  enter 
into  the  kingdom  of  heaven.  Whoso  therefore 
shall  humble  himself  as  this  little  child,  the  same 
is  greatest  in  the  kingdom  of  heaven.  And  whoso 
shall  receive  one  such  little  child  in  my 
name  receiveth  me.  But  whoso  shall  offend  one 
of  these  little  ones  which  believe  in  me,  it  were 
better  for  him  that  a  millstone  were  hanged  about 
his  neck,  and  that  he  were  drowned  in  the  depth 
of  the  sea. 

Mark  10 :  14-16. 

Suffer  the  little  children  to  come  unto  me,  and 
forbid  them  not :  for  of  such  is  the  kingdom  of 
God.  Verily,  I  say  unto  3^ou,  Whosoever  shall 
not  receive  the  kingdom  of  God  as  a  little  child, 
he  shall  not  enter  therein.  And  he  took  them  up 
in  his  arms,  put  his  hands  upon  them  and 
blessed  them. 


Haling  Eldera^    Hand-book.  121 

[If  an  aged  believer,  read  :} 

'    Psalm  92 :   12-15. 

The  righteous  shall  flourish  like  the  palm  tree ; 
he  shall  grow  like  a  cedar  in  Lebanon. 

Those  that  be  planted  in  the  house  of  the  Lord 
shall  flourish  in  tlio  courts  of  our  God. 

They  shall  still  bring  forth  fruit  in  old  age  ; 
they  shall  be  fat  and  flourishing  ; 

To  show  that  the  Lord  is  upright ;  he  is   my 
rock,  and  there  is  no  unrighteoilsness  in  him 
II  Timothy  4  :  6-8. 

For  I  am  now  ready  to  be  ofi'ered,  and  the  time 
of  my  departure  is  at  hand. 

I  have  fought  a  good  fight,  I  have  finished  my 
course,  I  have  kept  the  faith. 

Henceforth  there  is  laid  up  for  me  a  crown  of 
righteousness,  which  the  Lord,  the  righteous 
judge,  shall  give  me  at  that  day  ;  and  not  to  me 
only,  but  unto  all  them  also  that  love  his 
appearing. 

[To  comfort  the  afflicted,  read.-] 

II  Corinthians  4: 17-18. 

For  our  light  affliction,  which  is  but  for  a 
moment,  worketh  for  us  a  far  more  exceeding  and 
eternal  weight  of  glory  ;  while  we  look  not  at  the 
things  which  are  seen,  but  at  the  things  which 
are  not  seen  :  for  the  things  which  are  seen  are 
temporal ;  but  the  things  which  are  not  seen  are 
eternal. 

Lamentations  3  :  31-33  ;  37-41. 

For  the  Lord  will  not  cast  off"  forever ; 

But  though  he  cause  grief,  yet  will  he  have 
compassion  according  to  the  multitude  of  his 
mercies. 


122  Ruling  Elders^  Hand-book. 

For  he  doth  not  afflict  willingly,  nor  grieve  the 
children  of  men. 

Who  is  he  that  saith,  and  it  cometh  to  pass, 
when  the  Lord  commandeth  it  not  ? 

Out  of  the  mouth  of  the  Most  High  proceedeth 
not  evil  and  good  ? 

Wherefore  doth  a  living  man  complain,  a  man 
for  the  punishment  of  his  sins  ? 

Let  us  search  and  try  our  ways,  and  turn 
again  to  the  Lord. 

Let  us  lift  up  our  heart  with  our  hands  unto 
God  in  the  heavens. 

Hebrews  12  :  5-12  ;  22-24. 

My  son,  despise  not  thou  the  chastening  of  the 
Lord,  nor  faint  when  thou  art  rebuked  of  him  : 
for  whom  the  Lord  loveth  he  chaste neth,  and 
scourgeth  every  son  whom  he  receiveth.  If  ye 
endure  chastening,  God  dealeth  with  you  as  with 
sons  ;  for  what  son  is  he  whom  the  father  chas- 
teneth  not  ?  But  if  ye  be  without  chastisement, 
whereof  all  are  partakers,  then  are  ye  bastards 
and  not  sons.  Furthermore  we  have  had  fathers 
of  our  flesh  which  corrected  us,  and  we  gave 
them  reverence  ;  shall  we  not  much  rather  be  in 
subjection  unto  the  Father  of  spirits,  and  live  ? 
For  they  verily  for  a  few  days  chastened  us  after 
their  own  pleasure  \  but  he  for  our  profit,  that  we 
might  be  partakers  of  his  holiness.  Now  no 
chastening  for  the  present  seemeth  to  be  joyous, 
but  grievous :  nevertheless  afterward  it  yieldeth 
the  peaceable  fruit  of  righteousness  unto  them 
which  are  exercised  thereby.  Wherefore  lift  up 
the  hands  which  hang  down  and  the  feeble 
knees.     .     .     Ye  are  come  unto  Mount  Sion,  and 


Ruling  Elder>i'   ILind-bovk.  123 

unto  the  city  of  the  living  God,  tiie  heavenly 
Jerusalem,  and  to  an  innuinerabie  company  of 
angels,  to  the  general  assembly  and  cliurch  of 
the  firstborn,  which  are  written  in  heaven,  and 
to  God  the  Judge  of  all,  and  to  the  spirits  of  just 
men  made  perfect ;  and  to  Jesus  the  mediator  of 
the  new  covenant,  and  to  the  blood  of  sprink- 
ling, that  speaketh  better  things  than  tliat  of 
Abel. 

[FoUovjthe  reading  of  Scriptures  ivith  hrirf  remarks  or  a  switahle 
hymn,  and  with  prayer.] 

SERVICE    AT    THE    GRAVE. 
[TFaving  reached  tlie  place  of  burial,  read  .•] 

I  am  the  resurrection  and  the  life  ;  he  that  be- 
lieveth  in  me,  though  he  were  dead,  yet  shall  he 
live.  And  whosoever  liveth  and  believeth  in  me 
shall  never  die.     John  11:  25-26. 

[Here  a  hymn  may  he  sung.] 

[Then,  while  the  earth  is  cast  upon  the  coffin,  by  some  standing  hy^ 
read ;] 

Forasmuch  as  it  hath  pleased  Almighty  God  to 
take  out  of  this  world  the  soul  of  our  departed 
brother,  we  therefore  commit  this  body  to  the 
ground  ;  earth  to  earth,  ashes  to  ashes,  dust  to 
dust.  And  we  look  for  the  general  resurrection 
in  the  last  day,  and  the  life  of  the  world  to  come, 
through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ ;  at  whose  second 
coming  in  glorious  majesty  to  judge  the  world  the 
earth  and  the  sea  shall  give  up  their  dead  ;  and 
the  corruptible  bodies  of  those  who  sleep  in  him 
shall  be  changed  and  made  like  unto  his  glorious 
body,  according  to  the  working  whereby  he  is 
able  even  to  subdue  all  things  unto  himself. 

[Then  close  the  service  with  a  brief  prayer,  invoking  the  divine 
blessing  upon  mourning  ones  and  upon  all  who  have  attended  upon 
the  burial  sennce.] 


124         ■  Muling  Elders^  Hand-book. 

XI.     Topics  and  Readings. 
For  Various  Occasions. 

Christ's  Treatment  of  Sinners.  1  Timothy  1  :  15, 
Matthew  9  :  10-13,  Luke  15:  1-2. 

The  kind  of  men  God  uses.     Judges  7:  7. 
The  Secret  of  Strength.     2  Corinthians  12  :  10, 
1  Corinthians  10  :  12,  Proverbs  3  :  5-7. 

Temptation  to  Compromise.     Exodus  8 :  25-32, 
and  10  :  7-11. 

The  Living  Water.     John  4  :  1-14,  and  7  :  37, 
Revelation  21  :  6. 

Selling  the  Birthright.     Genesis  25  :  31-34,  He- 
brews 12  :  15-17. 

Preaching  to  One  Man.    Acts  8 :  25-33,  John  3  : 
1-21. 

''We    do  not  Well.'*    2  Kings  7  :  9.  (Missionary 
topic.) 

The    test    of  true    religion.    Matthew  7  :  15-20, 
James  1:  27. 

•'Hope  thou  in  God."  Psalm  42. 

Our  heavenly  home.    John  14 :  1-4,    Revelation 
21  and  22. 

Religion  in  a  busy  life.  Daniel  6  :  4-10,  Romans 
12:  11. 

Great    and    precious    promises.     2    Peter  1  :  4. 
(Bible  reading.) 

David  and  Mephibosheth.    2  Samuel  9  :  1-13. 

The  blessings  of  affliction.     2  Corinthians    4 : 
15-18,  Hebrews  12  :  11,  Psalm  119  :  67. 


Ruling  Elders^   JIand-huok.  125 

Helping  others.    Joshua  1  :  12-18.     (Missionary 
topic.) 

Ingratitude.     Luke  17  :  17-18. 

Lot's  choice.    Genesis  13  :  10-11. 

The  tongue.     James  3  :  18,  Psalm  39  :  1. 

The  penitent's  prayer.    Psalm  51. 

The  prodigal  son.     Luke  15  :  11-32. 

Compromises  dangerous.      Numbers  33  :  55-56, 
Judges  2  :  1-5. 

Christ's  purpose  concerning  us.  Acts  26  :  16-18. 

Jacob  at  BetheL    Genesis  28  :  10-22. 

Self-sacrifice  rewarded.     Matthew  19  :  27-30. 

Keeping  ^le  heart.    Proverbs  4  :  23,  Psalm  24  : 
3-5,  Matthew  5  :  8. 

Excuses.     Luke  14  :  16-24. 

Do  right,  regardless  of  consequences.  Daniel  3 
16-18. 

God   expects   fruit.    Luke    16  :  6-9,    Mark    11 
12-14,  John  15  :  1-8. 

Far-reaching   consequences  of  sin.    Joshua  7 
1-26,  2  Samuel  24  :  10-17,  Exodus  20  :  3. 

Confessing  Christ.    Romans  10  :  9-10,  Matthew 
10  :  32-33,  Mark  8  :  38. 

Obedience  required.    1  Samuel  15  :  22-23, 

The  power  of  a  praying  church.     Acts  12 :  5-17. 

Expecting   an     answer.     1     Kings    18:  41-46, 
Mark  11 :  24. 

In  debt  to  all  men.     Romans  1 :  14,  1  Corinthi- 
ans 9:  16-23,  (Missionary  topic.) 

No  hiding  from  God.     Genesis  3  :  8-10,  Hebrews 
4:  13,  Proverbs  15  :  3. 

The  greatest  of  the  graces.     1  Corinthians  13. 

The  danger  of  looking  back.     Genesis  19 :  17-26, 
Luke  9 :  57-62. 


126  Riding  Elders^  Hand-hook. 

The  two  ways.  Matthew  7 :  13-14,  Deuterono- 
my 30:  15-20,  Proverbs  14  :  12. 

Payraent  of  vows.  Psalm  76  :  11,  Ecclesiastes 
5  :  4-6,  Psalm  QQ  :  13-14,  Psalm  116  :  14. 

Parable  of  the  talents.     Matthew  25  :  14-30. 

Walking  with  God.  Genesis  5  :  24,  Amos  3  :  3, 
Hebrews  11  :  5-6. 

Servant  of  all.  John  13  :  1-17,  Matthew  20  : 
20-28. 

The  supply  equal  to  the  need.  1  Kings  17  : 
8-16,  Deuteronomy  33  :  25. 

The  more  convenient  season.  Acts  24 :  25, 
Luke  9  :  57-62. 

Pride  an  obstacle  to  salvation.     2  Kings  5 :  11-12. 

Lukewarmness.     Revelation  3  :  14-22. 

Promises  of  help.  Exodus  3  :  12,  Jeremiah  1 : 
8,  Matthew  28:  20. 

A  lesson  on  forgiving.     Matthew  18  :  21-35. 

Envy  and  its  fruits.     Genesis  37  :  11.     Acts  7  : 9. 

The  conversion  of  the  jailer.     Acts  16  :  27-34. 

Tempted  like  as  we  are.     Hebrews  4. 

Eunning  away  from  duty.     Jonah  1  :  1-14. 

Bringing  others  to  Jesus.     John  1  :  35-51. 

Love  for  the  church.     Psalm  122. 

A  prosperous  time  in  Zion.  Zechariah  8  : 
18-23. 

A  lesson  on  Sabbath  keeping.  Nehemiah 
13  :  15-22,  Exodus  20  :  8-lL 

Temptation,  its  source  and  results.  James  1  : 
13-15. 

Christ,  the  Shepherd.    Psalm  23,  John  10  :  1-16. 

Christian  living.     Romans  12  :  1-20. 

The  desire  of  all  nations.  Isaiah  60.  (Mis- 
sionary.) 


lialiny  KLdcra''  Hand-book.  127 

The  grace  of  liberality.     2  Corintliians  8  :  1-24. 

Abstinence  for  the  sake  of  others.  1  Corinth- 
ians 8:1-13. 

Doing  what  we  can.     Mark  14  :  3-9. 

The  woman  of  Canaan.     Matthew  15  :  21-25. 

Rich  man  and  Lazarus.     Luke  16  :  19-31. 

Unbelief  hindering  the  Lord's  work.  Matthew 
13  :  58 

Litercessory  prayer.     Genesis  18  :  24-33. 

Hearers  and  doers.  James  1  :  23-25,  Matthew 
7  :  21-27. 

The  serpent  in  the  wilderness.  Numbers  21  : 
4-9,  John  3  :  14-15. 


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